GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
What happens when an umpire finds deliberate fielder deception after the striker receives the ball?
Under the standard ICC men’s ODI and T20I conditions, either umpire decides whether a fielder wilfully tried to distract, deceive or obstruct a batter after the striker received the ball. In the ordinary non-contact branch, the umpire calls Dead ball, neither batter is dismissed, five penalty runs go to the batting side, and the ball does not count in the over. Completed runs and the run in progress are also handled under the clause. Physical contact follows a separate conduct procedure, so the non-contact consequences should not be applied automatically to every case.
For Cricket viewers trying to understand an official fake-fielding or deliberate-deception call · Updated
The rule turns on an umpire’s wilfulness finding
Clause 41.5 covers a fielder’s wilful act or attempted act of distraction, deception or obstruction after the striker has received the ball. Either umpire decides whether the conduct was wilful.
A player’s movement is not enough for a writer or viewer to label it deliberate. A fumble or awkward throw alone does not establish the required finding.
The non-contact branch has a defined outcome
When an umpire considers that the wilful act occurred, the umpire immediately calls and signals Dead ball. Neither batter can be dismissed from that delivery under this clause.
Where the ordinary non-contact branch applies, five penalty runs are awarded to the batting side and the ball does not count in the over. Any completed runs count, and the run in progress counts whether or not the batters had crossed when the offence occurred. The batters choose who faces the next delivery.
Physical contact changes the procedure
If the obstruction involves physical contact, the umpires together decide whether a Players’ Conduct offence under clause 42 has occurred. The conditions then direct them through a separate branch.
That branch is why the five-run outcome from a stipulated non-contact case must not be presented as the automatic consequence of every physical-contact incident. This is also separate from a warning process for time-wasting.
Use the rule edition governing the series
This page describes the October 2026 standard ICC men’s ODI and T20I clauses. The ICC says the revised edition applies to international series beginning on or after 1 October 2026; ongoing series keep their earlier regulations. The date does not show that clause 41.5 itself began then.
A fixture may have event-specific conditions or an addendum. Check the applicable documents before interpreting an actual umpire’s decision.
A fictional non-contact pretended throw
Suppose a fictional non-contact play has no No ball or Wide. One run is complete, another is in progress, and the batters have not crossed. Stipulate that the striker has received the ball and an umpire finds a fielder’s pretended throw to be a wilful attempt to deceive. Under the ordinary branch, the umpire calls Dead ball, neither batter is dismissed, five penalty runs go to the batting side, the ball does not count, the completed run and the run in progress count regardless of crossing, and the batters choose the next striker. The example does not calculate a final score or classify a real fielder’s action.
Related questions
Does a fake throw automatically count as deliberate deception?
No. The umpire decides whether the act or attempt was wilful after the striker received the ball. A fumble alone is not that finding.
Does the five-run outcome apply whenever a fielder makes contact?
Do not assume so. Physical-contact cases use a separate branch in which the umpires determine whether the clause 42 conduct procedure applies.