List Of Players Who Got Out For Obstructing The Field

In cricket, there are many ways a batsman can get out. You know about being bowled, caught, or LBW. But have you ever heard of a batsman getting out for “obstructing the field?” It’s one of the rarest and most unusual ways to be dismissed in the game!

So, what does it mean? Obstructing the field is when a batsman, on purpose, gets in the way of a fielder or stops the ball with their body to prevent a catch or a run-out. The key word is “on purpose.” It has to be a deliberate act to block the fielding side.

This type of dismissal is so rare that in the entire history of international cricket, it has only happened a handful of times. Let’s take a look at the players who found themselves on this very unique list.

Players Dismissed for Obstructing the Field

Here is a quick look at every player who has been given out for obstructing the field in international cricket history.

1. Len Hutton (England)

Sir Len Hutton was one of England’s greatest batsmen. He became the very first cricketer in history to be given out for obstructing the field during a Test match against South Africa.

Background and Incident Details:

• What Happened: A ball from South African bowler Athol Rowan bounced up and was heading towards the stumps. Hutton hit the ball a second time to knock it away from the wicket.
• Why It Was Out: The umpires believed that Hutton was not just defending his stumps but was also trying to stop the wicketkeeper from catching the ball.
• The Rule: This was a historic moment because it was the first time this rule was used in a Test match, showing that even the best players must always be careful.

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2. Rameez Raja (Pakistan)

Rameez Raja, a stylish Pakistani opening batsman, was the first player to be dismissed for obstructing the field in a One Day International (ODI). This happened in a match against England.

Background and Incident Details:

• What Happened: Raja had scored 99 runs and was on the verge of a century. He hit the ball and ran for a single. As the fielder threw the ball towards the stumps, Raja used his bat to knock the ball away.
• Why It Was Out: The umpires decided that he had deliberately blocked the ball with his bat to prevent being run out.
• The Aftermath: It was a controversial moment, especially since he was just one run away from a hundred.

3. Mohinder Amarnath (India)

Mohinder Amarnath was a brave Indian all-rounder and a hero of the 1983 World Cup. He also joined this rare list when he was given out for kicking the ball away from a fielder.

Background and Incident Details:

• What Happened: In an ODI against Sri Lanka, Amarnath played a shot and the ball landed near his feet. As a Sri Lankan fielder ran in to grab it, Amarnath kicked the ball away.
• Why It Was Out: Even though he might have just been frustrated, the act of kicking the ball away from a fielder was seen as a deliberate obstruction.
• A Rare Sight: This was another unusual dismissal that showed just how many strange ways there are to get out in cricket.

4. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)

Inzamam-ul-Haq, a legendary Pakistani captain, was at the center of a huge talking point in a match against rivals India. He was given out for blocking a throw with his bat.

Background and Incident Details:

• What Happened: After playing a shot, Inzamam was standing in the middle of the pitch. Indian fielder Suresh Raina threw the ball towards the stumps, and Inzamam stopped it with his bat.
• Why It Was Out: India appealed, and the umpire gave him out. Inzamam argued he was just defending himself, but the umpire ruled that he was not in danger and had deliberately blocked the throw.
• The Debate: This incident is still debated by fans today, with some saying it was fair and others saying it was against the spirit of the game.

5. Ben Stokes (England)

Ben Stokes, England’s superstar all-rounder, was part of a very famous obstructing the field dismissal against Australia at Lord’s. The moment was shown on TV replays over and over.

Background and Incident Details:

• What Happened: Stokes hit the ball and started to run. Australian bowler Mitchell Starc threw the ball back towards the stumps. As Stokes turned to get back to his crease, he put his hand out and blocked the ball.
• Why It Was Out: The Australian team appealed immediately. The third umpire looked at the replay and decided that Stokes had deliberately put his hand in the way of the ball.
• A Fiery Moment: It was a tense moment in an Ashes rivalry match and became one of the most well-known examples of this type of dismissal.

Other Famous Examples

• Mohammad Hafeez & Anwar Ali (Pakistan, 2013): In a rare case, two players from the same team were out for obstructing the field in the same series against South Africa. Both batsmen changed their running path to get in the way of throws.
• Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh, 2023): In a Test against New Zealand, Mushfiqur used his hand to push away a ball that had been defended and was no longer in play. This was considered “handling the ball,” which is now part of the obstructing the field rule.
• Danushka Gunathilaka (Sri Lanka, 2021): He was given out after he kicked the ball away from his stumps as West Indies captain Kieron Pollard was running in to field it.

Conclusion

Getting out for “obstructing the field” is one of the strangest and most talked-about dismissals in cricket. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s always a big moment that gets fans and players debating the rules.