Obstructing The Field - Definition

Definition

Law 37 of the Laws of cricket provides that:

Either batsman is out Obstructing the field if he wilfully obstructs or distracts the opposing side by word or action. It shall be regarded as obstruction if either batsman wilfully, and without the consent of the fielding side, strikes the ball with his bat or person, other than a hand not holding the bat, after the ball has touched a fielder.

If the obstruction is accidental, then it is not wilful, and so the batsman cannot be given out Obstructing the field.

Paragraph 3 of the Law provides that:

The striker is out should wilful obstruction or distraction by either batsman prevent a catch being made. This shall apply even though the striker causes the obstruction in lawfully guarding his wicket under the provisions of Law 34.3 (Ball lawfully struck more than once).

This predecessor of this part of Law 37 was in point for the only such dismissal in Test match cricket. Len Hutton, was playing for England against South Africa in 1951 at the Oval when the ball hit his bat handle and popped up. As the ball came down toward his stumps, he hit it away, obstructing the wicketkeeper Russell Endean from taking the catch. Coincidentally, Russell Endean was the first man given out handled the ball in a Test match.