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Cricket · Laws of Cricket

Law 35: Hit Wicket

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

Law 35 sets out when the striker is out Hit wicket (his wicket broken by his bat or person after the bowler enters the delivery stride and while the ball is in play, in preparing to receive or receiving a delivery, setting off for the first run, with no attempt to play, or in a lawful guarding stroke), Dead ball if it happens before the stride, when he is not out (action completed, running, avoiding Run out, Stumped or a throw in, the bowler not delivering, a No ball) and that no runs are scored.

35.351Hit Wicket: Out

When the striker is out Hit wicket (his wicket broken by his bat or person, after the bowler enters the delivery stride and while the ball is in play, in preparing to receive or receiving, setting off for the first run, no attempt to play, or a lawful guarding stroke) and Dead ball if it happens before the stride.

Test 1When the striker is out Hit wicketTake a test

  1. Law 35.1.1 begins its test after the bowler has entered the delivery stride.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · recall

  2. The Law names the striker's bat or person as the means.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · recall

  3. Laws 35.1, 35.2 and 35.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35 · applied

  4. The cited means are the held bat, the bat not in hand and the person or detached kit.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · recall

  5. Only the striker's own bat or person breaking the wicket is Hit wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · applied

  6. The Law says while the ball is in play.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · recall

  7. The bat breaks the wicket during the stroke, so Law 35.1.1 applies.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · applied

  8. The stroke after the stride breaks the wicket and ends his innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · applied

  9. The first sub-clause carries the definition.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · recall

  10. Law 35 sits between Hit the ball twice and Leg before wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35 · recall

Test 2Preparing to receive and receiving a deliveryTake a test

  1. The first circumstance is any action in preparing to receive or in receiving a delivery.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.1 · recall

  2. Taking his stance is preparing to receive the delivery.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.1 · applied

  3. The stance is an action in preparing to receive.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.1 · applied

  4. The swing is an action in receiving the delivery.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.1 · applied

  5. Only the first run set off immediately is covered; a later run is not.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · applied

  6. Law 35.1.1.2 covers setting off for the first run immediately after playing.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.2 · applied

  7. The second circumstance.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.2 · recall

  8. The setting off follows the shot immediately.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.2 · applied

  9. The word immediately ties the circumstance to the striker setting off for his first run straight after playing or playing at the ball; a wicket broken when a run is begun later falls outside it (Law 35.2).

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.2 · recall

  10. The Law covers only the immediate first setting off, so a breaking on a later run is outside it.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.2 · applied

Test 3No attempt to play, and guarding strokesTake a test

  1. No attempt to play still allows Hit wicket if the first run is set off straight after the chance to play.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.3 · recall

  2. The Law says in the opinion of the umpire.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.3 · recall

  3. Law 35.1.1.1 to 35.1.1.4.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · applied

  4. He made no attempt to play and set off immediately after the opportunity.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.3 · applied

  5. The fourth circumstance is the lawful guarding stroke.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.4 · applied

  6. The fourth circumstance.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.4 · recall

  7. Law 34.3 is Ball lawfully struck more than once.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.4 · recall

  8. The umpire judges the setting off as immediately after the opportunity.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.3 · applied

  9. A lawful second stroke is one of the circumstances.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.4 · applied

  10. 35.1.1.1 to 35.1.1.4.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · recall

Test 4Breaking the wicket before the delivery strideTake a test

  1. Law 35.1.2 calls for Dead ball before the stride.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.2 · recall

  2. The Law says either umpire.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.2 · recall

  3. Dead ball is called before the stride.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.2 · applied

  4. Before the stride, Dead ball applies instead of a dismissal.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.2 · applied

  5. While the bowler is still before the stride, Dead ball is the only outcome, so the other rows cannot apply.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.2 · applied

  6. No dismissal before the stride.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.2 · applied

  7. The second sub-clause of 35.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.2 · recall

  8. Dead ball, then Hit wicket, then not out.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35 · applied

  9. The same means as in Law 35.1.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.2 · recall

  10. Law 35.1.2 deals with a wicket broken by bat or person before the bowler has entered his delivery stride: that is too early for Hit wicket, so either umpire calls Dead ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.2 · recall

Test 5Hit wicket in casesTake a test

  1. Detached equipment other than a helmet counts as the striker's person under Law 29.2.1.4.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · applied

  2. Law 29.2.1.4 excludes the helmet from detached equipment.

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

  3. The appeal is answered at the keeper's end.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 31.5 · applied

  4. A Wide does not exclude Hit wicket; a No ball does.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  5. Detached equipment breaks the wicket as his person under Law 29.2.1.4.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · applied

  6. The Law needs the ball in play.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · applied

  7. Clauses 35.1, 35.2 and 35.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35 · recall

  8. Laws 34, 35, 36 and 37.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 34 to 37 · applied

  9. The first clause.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1 · recall

  10. Law 31.1 requires an appeal by a fielder for any dismissal.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 31.1 · recall

35.352Hit Wicket: Not Out and Runs

When the striker is not out Hit wicket (his action completed, running, avoiding Run out, Stumped or a throw in, the bowler not delivering, a No ball) and that no runs are scored other than the Wide penalty and 5 Penalty runs.

Test 1Not out Hit wicket: after the actionTake a test

  1. Law 35.2 says a wicket broken after the striker has completed his action in receiving the ball is not Hit wicket, except where 35.1.1.2 to 35.1.1.4 apply: setting off at once for a first run, or a lawful second stroke to guard the wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

  2. Breaking it after completing his action is not Hit wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  3. The completed action takes it outside the Law.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  4. The second clause.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

  5. Only the breaking after the action is complete is excepted.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  6. Law 35.2 excepts the act of running apart from setting off immediately.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  7. Trying to avoid Run out or Stumped is excepted.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  8. Running other than the first setting off is excepted.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  9. Trying to avoid a throw in at any time is excepted.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  10. The Law lists six bulleted exceptions.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

Test 2Not out Hit wicket: avoiding dangerTake a test

  1. The exception names Run out and Stumped.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

  2. Diving back to beat a stumping is the case the exception names, so he is not given out for the broken wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  3. The exception for avoiding Stumped applies.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  4. The exception covers avoiding a throw in at any time.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  5. Dodging a throw in at any time is excepted.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  6. The Law says at any time.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

  7. Law 35.2 excepts trying to avoid being Stumped.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  8. Avoiding a throw in is excepted.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  9. The exception rules out Hit wicket but not the others.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  10. Laws 38 and 39.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

Test 3Not out Hit wicket: bowler does not deliver, No ballTake a test

  1. The striker is not out and Dead ball is called.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

  2. The Law excepts the case where the bowler does not deliver.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  3. Dead ball is called at once.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  4. Law 20.4 is Umpire calling and signalling Dead ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

  5. Either umpire calls Dead ball at once.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  6. The last exception is a No ball delivery.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  7. The delivery is a No ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  8. The No ball means no dismissal.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  9. Only a No ball is named in the exceptions.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

  10. The exceptions list.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

Test 4Runs scoredTake a test

  1. The Law says no runs shall be scored.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.3 · recall

  2. The Law allows any award of 5 Penalty Runs.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.3 · recall

  3. Only the penalties stand.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.3 · applied

  4. The Law excepts the one-run penalty for a Wide.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.3 · applied

  5. On a No ball the dismissal cannot occur, so there is nothing to score under this Law.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.3 · applied

  6. No runs shall be scored.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.3 · applied

  7. Law 35.2 lists a No ball among the cases where the striker is not out Hit wicket; the one-run No ball penalty still stands.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · applied

  8. The Law lists the rule and then the penalties.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.3 · applied

  9. The third clause.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.3 · recall

  10. The heading is Runs scored.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.3 · recall

Test 5Law 35 as a wholeTake a test

  1. Law 34 is Hit the ball twice.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 34 · recall

  2. Law 36 is Leg before wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 36 · recall

  3. Laws 35.1.1, 35.1.2, 35.2 and 35.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35 · applied

  4. Sub-clauses 35.1.1 and 35.1.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1 · recall

  5. Law 35.3 is headed Runs scored.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.3 · applied

  6. The second sub-clause.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.2 · recall

  7. Only the exceptions list mentions a No ball.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.2 · recall

  8. The appeal and decision follow.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35 · applied

  9. The first sub-clause.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1 · recall

  10. The cross-reference in the last circumstance points to the clause on guarding the wicket.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.4 · recall

Sources

MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd edition, 2022), Law 35 with Laws 20.4, 29.2.1, 31, 34.3 and 38 and 39 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 35.233
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.115
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.210
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.310
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 356
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.25
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.45
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.14
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.1.1.34
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 35.12
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 29.2.1.41
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 31.51
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 34 to 371
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 31.11
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 341
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 361