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Men's Test Match Clause 33: Caught

33. Caught

  • 33.1. Out CaughtThe striker is out Caught if a ball delivered by the bowler, not being a No ball, touches his bat without having previously been in contact with any fielder, and is subsequently held by a fielder as a fair catch, as described in clauses 33.2 and 33.3, before it touches the ground.
  • 33.2. A fair catch

    • 33.2.1. A catch will be fair only if, in every case either the ball, at any time or any fielder in contact with the ball, is not grounded beyond the boundary before the catch is completed. Note clauses 19.4 (Ball grounded beyond the boundary) and 19.5 (Fielder grounded beyond the boundary).

    • 33.2.2. Furthermore, a catch will be fair if any of the following conditions applies:

      • 33.2.2.1. the ball is held in the hand or hands of a fielder, even if the hand holding the ball is touching the ground, or is hugged to the body, or lodges in the external protective equipment worn by a fielder, or lodges accidentally in a fielder’s clothing.
      • 33.2.2.2. a fielder catches the ball after it has been lawfully struck more than once by the striker, but only if it has not been grounded since it was first struck. See clause 34 (Hit the ball twice).
      • 33.2.2.3. a fielder catches the ball after it has touched the wicket, an umpire, another fielder or the other batsman.
      • 33.2.2.4. a fielder catches the ball after it has crossed the boundary in the air, provided that the conditions in clause 33.2.1 are met.
      • 33.2.2.5. the ball is caught off an obstruction within the boundary that is not designated a boundary by the umpires.
  • 33.3. Making a catchThe act of making a catch shall start from the time when the ball first comes into contact with a fielder’s person and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control over both the ball and his own movement.
  • 33.4. No runs to be scoredIf the striker is dismissed Caught, runs from that delivery completed by the batsmen before the completion of the catch shall not be scored but any runs for penalties awarded to either side shall stand. Clause 18.11.1 (Batsman returning to original end) shall apply from the instant of the completion of the catch.
  • 33.5. Caught to take precedence

If the criteria of clause 33.1 are met and the striker is not out Bowled, then he is out Caught, even though a decision against either batsman for another method of dismissal would be justified.