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Cricket · Laws of Cricket

Law 29: The Wicket Is Broken

2 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

Law 29 defines when the wicket is broken (a bail completely off the top or a stump out of the ground), the means by which it is broken fairly (the ball, a held bat, a bat not in hand, the striker's person and detached kit but not the helmet, a fielder's hand holding the ball), bails that shake or lodge, one bail off, who may remake the wicket and when, and playing without bails.

29.291The Wicket Is Broken: Means of Breaking It

When the wicket is broken (a bail completely off the top or a stump out of the ground), the ways it is broken fairly (the ball, a held bat, a bat not in hand, the striker's person and detached kit but not the helmet, a fielder's hand holding the ball), bails that only shake or that lodge, and one bail off.

Test 1When the wicket is brokenTake a test

  1. Removing a single bail completely from the top of the stumps is sufficient to break the wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.1 · recall

  2. One or more stumps removed from the ground breaks the wicket, with no need for a bail to fall.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.1 · applied

  3. Laws 29.1, 29.2 and 29.3 run in that order.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29 · applied

  4. The words at least one bail set the minimum at a single bail.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.1 · recall

  5. Only row D shows a stump removed from the ground; the other three rows keep everything in place.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.1 · applied

  6. A hit that removes no bail and no stump leaves the wicket whole.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.1 · applied

  7. Only complete removal from the ground counts for a stump, as against leaning or bending.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.1 · recall

  8. A ball that dislodges a bail completely breaks the wicket by the first limb of Law 29.2.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.1 · applied

  9. The loss of a stump alone satisfies the Law, whatever the bails do.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.1 · applied

  10. Law 29.1 opens the Law with the definition under that heading.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.1 · recall

Test 2Broken by the ball or the batTake a test

  1. The ball and a held bat are the first two listed means.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1 · recall

  2. Contact by the ball is the first means named in the Law.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.1 · applied

  3. Sub-clauses 29.2.1.1, 29.2.1.2 and 29.2.1.3 follow in that order.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1 · applied

  4. A bat that the striker is holding falls within the fair means.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.2 · applied

  5. Only the ball is among the fair means listed; the other three rows are not among them.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1 · applied

  6. The wording extends to any part of the bat that he holds.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.2 · recall

  7. For the purposes of Law 29 alone, a bat not in hand still breaks the wicket fairly.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.3 · applied

  8. The loose bat is judged under the third limb because it was not in hand.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.3 · applied

  9. Law 29.2.1.3 names any part of the bat which has become detached.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.3 · applied

  10. Law 29.2.1.3 says its rule, that a bat out of the striker's hands or a piece broken off it counts as breaking the wicket, holds for this Law alone; other Laws may treat such a case differently.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.3 · recall

Test 3Broken by the striker's person or kitTake a test

  1. Law 29.2.1.4 names the striker's person among the fair ways.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.4 · applied

  2. The Law speaks of any part of clothing or equipment that becomes detached from the person.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.4 · recall

  3. These are sub-clauses 29.2.1.2, 29.2.1.3 and 29.2.1.4.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1 · applied

  4. A glove is equipment, so its detached state still breaks the wicket fairly.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.4 · applied

  5. The helmet is excluded from detached equipment; the other three rows are within the Law.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.4 · applied

  6. The Law excludes the helmet and any part of it from the detached equipment.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.4 · recall

  7. Helmets, and any part of them, are carved out of the Law's detached equipment.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.4 · applied

  8. A detached glove is equipment under the fourth limb.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.4 · applied

  9. The reference after the helmet exclusion is to the Appendix on the protective helmet.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.4 · recall

  10. Sub-clause 29.2.1.4 follows the two on the bat and precedes the one on fielders.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.4 · recall

Test 4Broken by a fielderTake a test

  1. Law 29.2.1.5 names a hand or arm that holds the ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.5 · recall

  2. The condition of holding the ball in the hand used is met.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.5 · applied

  3. The hand holding the ball satisfies Law 29.2.1.5.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.5 · applied

  4. The ball in his other hand does not qualify: the hand that breaks the wicket must itself hold the ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.5 · applied

  5. Only a hand or arm that holds the ball is a fair means; the others are not.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.5 · applied

  6. Without the ball in the hand or the hand of the arm used, the breaking is not fair.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.5 · applied

  7. The Law names the fielder's hand or arm as the only fair means.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.5 · applied

  8. Those are 29.2.1.4, 29.2.1.5 and 29.2.1.6.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1 · applied

  9. Sub-clause 29.2.1.6 extends the fielder rule to a stump struck or pulled out.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.6 · recall

  10. Law 29.2.1.6 adopts the same conditions for stumps as the fielder clause.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.6 · applied

Test 5Bails that lodge or shake, and one bail offTake a test

  1. Law 29.2.2 says a disturbance, whether temporary or not, falls short of removal.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.2 · applied

  2. A bail that lodges between stumps is treated as removed by Law 29.2.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.2 · recall

  3. A lodged bail is treated as removed under Law 29.2.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.2 · applied

  4. Law 29.2.2 counts only complete removal from the top of the stumps; a bail that is disturbed and settles back has not been removed, however briefly it moved. A bail lodged between the stumps, though, is treated as removed.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.2 · applied

  5. Only a bail that lodges between two stumps counts as removed; the rest stay on top.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.2 · applied

  6. With a bail off it suffices to remove the remaining bail or strike or pull out a stump.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.3 · applied

  7. Any of the three stumps pulled out in a way stated in 29.2 suffices.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.3 · applied

  8. Law 29.3 allows the second bail to complete the breaking.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.3 · applied

  9. Law 29.3 says any of the three stumps.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.3 · recall

  10. Law 29.3 is headed One bail off.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.3 · recall

29.292The Wicket Is Broken: Remaking and Playing Without Bails

Who may remake a broken wicket and when (fielders may replace bails and stumps in play, the umpire waits for Dead ball), and how the wicket is judged broken when the umpires have agreed to dispense with bails.

Test 1Remaking the wicketTake a test

  1. Law 29.4 reserves remaking to after the ball is dead, and leaves umpires out until then.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

  2. Law 29.4 sets the moment as the ball becoming dead.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

  3. Fielders may replace bails during play; the umpire waits until Dead ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

  4. The cross-reference is to the Dead ball Law.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

  5. Only fielders may replace bails or stumps during play; umpires wait for Dead ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

  6. Any fielder is expressly allowed to replace a bail or bails while the ball is in play.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

  7. He may restore stumps to their original place.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

  8. Law 29.3, 29.4 and 29.5 follow in that order.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29 · applied

  9. The Law fixes the original position as the only place.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

  10. An umpire's rebuilding awaits Dead ball under Law 29.4.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

Test 2What fielders may do in playTake a test

  1. Law 29.4 gives them these two acts, each in order to have a further chance.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

  2. Replacing a bail lets him try to break the wicket fairly again.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

  3. Restoring first gives a new chance to break it.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

  4. The restored wicket may be broken afresh by any fair means.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

  5. Only replacing bails or stumps is allowed him; the rest belong to the umpires.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

  6. After Dead ball the umpire usually restores the wicket, though a fielder may also do so.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

  7. Fielders replace a bail or stump; the full remaking is the umpire's job.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

  8. The stump must stand before a bail can be laid on it, and Dead ball ends the fielders' freedom.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

  9. Law 29.4 says one or more stumps.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

  10. The Law's wording is a bail or bails.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

Test 3Playing without bailsTake a test

  1. Law 29.5 points to Law 8.5, Dispensing with bails.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5 · recall

  2. Without bails the call is the umpire's.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5 · recall

  3. Law 29.5 puts the judgement in the umpire's hands.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5 · applied

  4. With nothing to fall off the bails, he judges the breaking himself.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5 · recall

  5. Law 29.5 says it is for the umpire concerned to decide.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5 · applied

  6. Law 29.5 is headed Dispensing with bails.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5 · recall

  7. Fair striking by an allowed means is the test.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.1 · recall

  8. The agreement comes before the tests applied to it.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5 · applied

  9. These three limbs are cited for the striker's side of things.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.1 · recall

  10. The fielder with the ball in hand rule is the one cited.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.1 · recall

Test 4Without bails: what strikes the wicketTake a test

  1. Satisfaction of a ball strike is enough under Law 29.5.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.1 · applied

  2. Law 29.5.1 lists the held bat among the fair ways.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.1 · applied

  3. Law 29.5.2 lets him replace and then strike to have a chance.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.2 · applied

  4. Law 29.5.1 cites the fielder rule too.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.1 · applied

  5. Only the ball and the other allowed means count; people outside them do not.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.1 · applied

  6. Law 29.5.2 says 29.5.1 applies to stumps that remain.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.2 · recall

  7. The case of an already broken wicket is Law 29.5.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.2 · recall

  8. Law 29.5, 29.5.1 and 29.5.2 in that sequence.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5 · applied

  9. Replacing gives him an opportunity of breaking it fairly.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.2 · recall

  10. Replacement follows the earlier remaking clause.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.2 · recall

Test 5Law 29 as a wholeTake a test

  1. Clauses 29.1 to 29.5 make up the Law.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29 · recall

  2. Clause 29.2 is headed Breaking the wicket fairly.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2 · recall

  3. Clauses 29.1, 29.2, 29.3 and 29.4 deal with them in that order.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29 · applied

  4. Clause 29.4 is headed Remaking wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

  5. Law 29.3 is headed One bail off.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.3 · applied

  6. The lodging rule sits in 29.2.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.2 · recall

  7. 29.2.1.1 to 29.2.1.6 makes six.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1 · recall

  8. Replacement follows the breaking and precedes any second attempt.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · applied

  9. Law 29.5 sends the reader to Law 8.5.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5 · recall

  10. The remaking clause refers the reader to Dead ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.4 · recall

Sources

MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd edition, 2022), Law 29 with Laws 8.5, 20 and Appendix A.2.3 as cross-references (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)

  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.422
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.49
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.59
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.18
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.57
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.17
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.16
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.26
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.36
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.5.25
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 294
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.34
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.12
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.22
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.62
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.21