Cricket Rules – Law 34 – Hit The Ball Twice
1. Out Hit the ball twice
(a) The striker is out Hit the ball twice if, while the ball is in play, it strikes any part of his person or is struck by his bat and, before the ball has been touched by a fielder, he wilfully strikes it again with his bat or person, other than a hand not holding the bat, except for the sole purpose of guarding his wicket. See 3 below and Laws 33 (Handled the ball) and 37 (Obstructing the field).(b) For the purpose of this Law ‘struck’ or ‘strike’ shall include contact with the person of the striker.
2. Not out Hit the ball twice
Notwithstanding 1(a) above, the striker will not be out under this Law if(i) he strikes the ball a second or subsequent time in order to return the ball to any fielder. Note, however, the provisions of Law 37.4 (Returning the ball to a fielder).(ii) he wilfully strikes the ball after it has touched a fielder. Note, however the provisions of Law 37.1 (Out Obstructing the field).
3. Ball lawfully struck more than once
Solely in order to guard his wicket and before the ball has been touched by a fielder, the striker may lawfully strike the ball a second or subsequent time with his bat, or with any part of his person other than a hand not holding the bat.Notwithstanding this provision, he may not prevent the ball from being caught by striking the ball more than once in defence of his wicket. See Law 37.3 (Obstructing a ball from being caught).
4. Runs scored from ball lawfully struck more than once
When the ball is lawfully struck more than once, as permitted in 3 above, only the first strike is to be considered in determining whether runs are to be permitted and if so how they are to be recorded.(a) If on the first strike, the umpire is satisfied thateither (i) the ball first struck the bator (ii) the striker attempted to play the ball with his bator (iii) the striker attempted to avoid being hit by the ball,then the batting side shall be credited with any runs for penalties that may be applicable.(b) Additionally, if the conditions in (a) above are met then, if they result from overthrows and only if they result from overthrows, runs completed by the batsmen or a boundary will be scored. They shall be credited to the striker if the first strike was with the bat. If the first strike was on the person of the striker they shall be recorded as Leg byes or No ball extras as appropriate. See Law 26.2 (Leg byes).(c) If the conditions in (a) above are met and there is no overthrow until after the batsmen have started to run but before one run is completed,(i) only subsequent completed runs or a boundary shall be scored. For the purposes of this clause and (iii) below, the first run shall count as a completed run if and only if the batsmen had not already crossed at the instant of the throw.(ii) if in these circumstances the ball goes to the boundary from the throw then, notwithstanding the provisions of Law 19.7 (Overthrow or wilful act of fielder), only the boundary allowance shall be scored.(iii) if the ball goes to the boundary as the result of a further overthrow, then runs completed by the batsman after the first throw but before this final throw shall be added to the boundary allowance. The run in progress at the first throw will count as a completed run only if the batsmen had not already crossed at that instant. The run in progress at the final throw shall count as a completed run only if the batsmen had already crossed at that instant. Law 18.12 (Batsman returning to wicket he has left) shall apply as from the instant of the final throw.(d) If, in the opinion of the umpire, none of the conditions in (a) above are met then, whether there is an overthrow or not, the batting side shall not be credited with any runs from that delivery apart from the penalty for a No ball if applicable. Moreover, no other runs for penalties shall be awarded to the batting side.
5. Ball lawfully struck more than once – action by the umpire
If no runs are to be permitted, either in the circumstances of 4(d) above, or because there has been no overthrow, and(a) if no run is attempted but the ball reaches the boundary, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball and disallow the boundary.(b) if the batsmen run and(i) neither batsman is dismissed and the ball does not become dead for any other reason, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as one run is completed or the ball reaches the boundary. The run or boundary shall be disallowed. The batsmen shall return to their original ends.or (ii) a batsman is dismissed, or if for any other reason the ball becomes dead before one run is completed or the ball reaches the boundary, all the provisions of the Laws will apply except that the award of penalties to the batting side shall be as laid down in 4(a) or 4(d) above, as appropriate.
6. Bowler does not get credit
The bowler does not get credit for the wicket.
© Marylebone Cricket Club 2010
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