Obstructing the field

Obstructing the field is one of the ten methods of dismissing a batsman in the sport of cricket. Either batsman can be given out if he wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action. It is Law 37 of the Laws of cricket, and is a rare way for a batsman to be dismissed; in the history of cricket, there has been only two instances in Test matches, nine in One Day International (ODI) matches, and six in Twenty20 International matches. There have also been seven instances in Test cricket, and two in ODIs, where a batsman has been dismissed handled the ball, a mode of dismissal now folded into obstructing the field.

One modern pattern of obstruction in limited overs cricket occurs when a batsman thinks that he is going to be run out and blocks the ball with his bat, or changes his course while running between wickets to block the ball. Under the standard Laws the obstruction has to be deliberate.

In addition to one batter being out, whichever batter committed the obstruction has by definition performed a wilful act, which may well be in violation of both the Laws and the Spirit of Cricket, so risks unfavourable judgement by the umpires under Law 41 (Unfair Play) and Law 42 (Player Behaviour) and thus other sanctions during and after the game. In elite cricket, the Match Referee is likely to be involved.