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.

Definition

Obstructing the field is Law 37 in the Laws of cricket established by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). A batsman can be given out for obstructing the field if he wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action.

Law 37 describes three specific circumstances where this applies, but the Law is not limited to these circumstances:

  • If, in the act of playing the ball, the batsmen wilfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat, unless this is to avoid injury.
  • If either batsman should wilfully obstruct or distract a fielder preventing a catch being made.
  • If, at any time while the ball is in play and without the consent of a fielder, he uses his bat or any part of his person, to return the ball to any fielder.

In the second specific case, the striker is out, as they were at risk of being out caught were it not for the obstruction. In any other case it is the batsman who obstructs who is out . If the catch is taken, the striker is out caught under Law 33, which takes precedence over obstruction for the purpose of accounting the method of dismissal.

If a batsman deliberately alters his course whilst running, or interposes his bat, to block the path of a ball thrown at the stumps by a fielder, the umpire must decide whether the action is wilful. The umpire does not have to judge whether the fielding would have been likely to effect a Run out.

Some recent limited overs playing conditions have changed the test of intent, so that the batter is out on appeal if, in running between the wickets, they "significantly change ... direction without probable cause".

The bowler does not get credit for any obstruction dismissal. Any runs completed before the offence is committed are scored (unless the obstruction prevents a catch being made