Hit wicket - Definition and Overview

Hit wicket is a method of dismissal in the sport of cricket. This method of dismissal is governed by Law 35 of the Laws of cricket. The striker is out Hit-wicket if, after the bowler has entered his delivery stride and while the ball is in play, his wicket is put down by his bat or his person. The striker may do this whilst preparing to receive or receiving a delivery or in setting off for his first run after playing the delivery. In simple language if the striking batsman knocks the bails off the stumps or uproots the stumps, while attempting to hit the ball or take off for a run, he is out hit wicket.

This method is the sixth most common method of dismissal after caught, bowled, leg before wicket, run out and stumped.

Although a bowler is given credit for the wicket, it is not a method of dismissal that a bowler actively seeks and it is relatively uncommon. A batsman may not be given out Hit wicket if the ball is not actually delivered by the bowler or if the delivery is a no ball (ie a delivery that is not fair).

Notable dismissals

On 9 August 1991 at the Oval in London, England. Ian Botham, whilst playing for England fell over his stumps whilst attempting to hook Curtly Ambrose of the West Indies and so was dismissed Hit wicket. Later in the day, Brian Johnston of BBC radio's Test Match Special read out the details of the scorecard as normal. When he came to Ian Botham's dismissal, his fellow presenter Jonathan Agnew commented that Botham 'couldn't get his leg over'. This was a double entendre meaning that he was not able to avoid hitting his stumps by getting his leg higher than the stumps, and also a reference to sex. Johnston slowly started laughing until he could commentate no more, leaving about a minute of broadcasting being just him in a fit of giggles. His reaction has made Botham's dismissal probably the most famous dismissal 'Hit wicket' before. A link to the broadcast is below.

References

• BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/test_match_special/presenter_profiles/2976173.stm) Brian Johnston and Jonathan Agnew of BBC radio's Test Match Special discussing Ian Botham's dismissal 'Hit wicket'.