Cricket Rules – Law 20 – Lost Ball
1. Fielder to call Lost ball
If a ball in play cannot be found or recovered, any fielder may call Lost ball. The ball shall then become dead. See Law 23.1 (Ball is dead). Law 18.12(b) (Batsman returning to wicket he has left) shall apply as from the instant of the call.
2. Ball to be replaced
The umpires shall replace the ball with one which has had wear comparable with that which the previous ball had received before it was lost or became irrecoverable. See Law 5.5 (Ball lost or becoming unfit for play).
3. Runs scored
(a) Any runs for penalties awarded to either side shall be scored.(b) The batting side shall additionally be awardedeither (i) the runs completed by the batsmen, together with the run in progress if they had already crossed at the instant of the call,or (ii) 6 runs, whichever is the greater. These shall be credited to the striker if the ball has been struck by the bat, but otherwise to the total of Byes, Leg byes, No balls or Wides as the case may be.
© Marylebone Cricket Club 2010
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