15 Laws of cricket that you need to know

12. Obstructing the field:

The law 37 of the rule book states that the batsman is out obstructing the field if he wilfully obstructs or distracts the fielding side by word or action.

Furthermore, it shall be regarded as obstruction if while the ball is in play either batsman wilfully, and without the consent of a fielder, strikes the ball with his bat or any part of the body, other than a hand not holding the bat, after the ball has been touched by a fielder. This shall apply whether or not there is any disadvantage to the fielding side. He is said to be out obstructing the ball if he obstructs any fielder from catching the ball. But he is not said to be out if he obstructs the ball to prevent himself from being hit. The bowler does not get the credit for the wicket of the batsman obstructing the field.

The first batsman to get out obstructing the field in ODI’s is Rameez Raja on 20^th November against England. The recent batsman to get out obstructing the field is Ben Stokes of England against the mighty Aussies on 5^th September 2015.