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Men's Test Match Clause 28: The Fielder

28. The Fielder

  • 28.1. Protective equipmentNo fielder other than the wicket-keeper shall be permitted to wear gloves or external leg guards. In addition, protection for the hand or fingers may be worn only with the consent of the umpires.
  • 28.2. Fielding the ball

    • 28.2.1. A fielder may field the ball with any part of his person (see paragraph 12 of Appendix A), except as in clause 28.2.1.2. However, he will be deemed to have fielded the ball illegally if, while the ball is in play he wilfully:

      • 28.2.1.1. uses anything other than part of his person to field the ball.
      • 28.2.1.2. extends his clothing with his hands and uses this to field the ball.
      • 28.2.1.3. discards a piece of clothing, equipment or any other object which subsequently makes contact with the ball.

    • 28.2.2. It is not illegal fielding if the ball in play makes contact with a piece of clothing, equipment or any other object which has accidentally fallen from the fielder’s person.

    • 28.2.3. If a fielder illegally fields the ball, the ball shall immediately become dead and - the penalty for a No ball or a Wide shall stand.

  • any runs completed by the batsmen shall be credited to the batting side, together with the run in progress if the batsmen had already crossed at the instant of the offence.
  • the ball shall not count as one of the over.

In addition the umpire shall:

  • award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side.
  • inform the other umpire and the captain of the fielding side of the reason for this action.
  • inform the batsmen and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
  • 28.3. Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side

    • 28.3.1. Protective helmets, when not in use by fielders, may not be placed on the ground, above the surface except behind the wicket-keeper and in line with both sets of stumps.

    • 28.3.2. If the ball while in play strikes a helmet, placed as described in clause 28.3.1,

      • 28.3.2.1. the ball shall become dead

and, subject to clause 28.3.3, - 28.3.2.2. an award of 5 Penalty runs shall be made to the batting side; - 28.3.2.3. any runs completed by the batsmen before the ball strikes the protective helmet shall be scored, together with the run in progress if the batsmen had already crossed at the instant of the ball striking the protective helmet. - 28.3.3. If the ball while in play strikes a helmet, placed as described in clause 28.3.1, unless the circumstances of clause 23.3 (Leg byes not to be awarded) or clause 34 (Hit the ball twice), apply, the umpire shall:

  • permit the batsmen’s runs as in clause 28.3.2.3 to be scored - signal No ball or Wide ball to the scorers if applicable
  • award 5 Penalty runs as in clause 28.3.2.2
  • award any other Penalty runs due to the batting side.
    • 28.3.4. If the ball while in play strikes a helmet, placed as described in clause 28.3.1, and the circumstances of clause 23.3 (Leg byes not to be awarded) or clause 34 (Hit the ball twice) apply, the umpire shall:
  • disallow all runs to the batting side
  • return any not out batsman to his original end
  • signal No ball or Wide ball to the scorers if applicable
  • award any 5-run Penalty that is applicable except for Penalty runs under clause 28.3.2.
  • 28.4. Limitation of on side fieldersAt the instant of the bowler’s delivery there shall not be more than two fielders, other than the wicket-keeper, behind the popping crease on the on side. A fielder will be considered to be behind the popping crease unless the whole of his person whether grounded or in the air is in front of this line.

In the event of infringement of this clause by any fielder, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball.

  • 28.5. Fielders not to encroach on pitchWhile the ball is in play and until the ball has made contact with the striker’s bat or person, or has passed the striker’s bat, no fielder, other than the bowler, may have any part of his person grounded on or extended over the pitch.

In the event of infringement of this clause by any fielder other than the wicket-keeper, the bowler’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball as soon as possible after delivery of the ball. Note, however, clause 27.3 (Position of wicket- keeper).

  • 28.6. Movement by any fielder other than the wicket-keeper

    • 28.6.1. Any movement by any fielder, excluding the wicket-keeper, after the ball comes into play and before the ball reaches the striker, is unfair except for the following:

      • 28.6.1.1. minor adjustments to stance or position in relation to the striker’s wicket.

      • 28.6.1.2. movement by any fielder, other than a close fielder, towards the striker or the striker’s wicket that does not

        significantly alter the position of the fielder.

      • 28.6.1.3. movement by any fielder in response to the stroke that the striker is playing or that his actions suggest he intends to play.

    • 28.6.2. In all circumstances clause 28.4 (Limitation of on side fielders) shall apply.

    • 28.6.3. In the event of such unfair movement, either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball.

    • 28.6.4. Note also the provisions of clause 41.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker). See also clause 27.4 (Movement by wicket-keeper).