Section 6: Scoring
Runs — Law 18 (MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 Code, 6th Edition)
The batting side accumulates runs by batsmen crossing the pitch between the wickets. After a stroke, both batsmen run toward the opposite end of the pitch, grounding their bats (or persons) behind the popping crease to complete a run. Multiple runs may be scored off a single delivery. A run is complete when both batsmen have crossed and grounded their bats at the opposite end simultaneously.
Boundaries — Law 19
- 4 runs: If the ball reaches or crosses the boundary after touching the ground, or after touching a fielder who is grounded inside the boundary, 4 runs are scored automatically and the batsmen do not need to run.
- 6 runs: If the ball crosses the boundary without touching the ground (a full hit to or over the boundary), 6 runs are scored automatically.
- Batsmen's runs and boundaries: If the batsmen have already completed one or more runs before the ball reaches the boundary, the boundary value (4 or 6) replaces the completed run(s) — the larger of the two values applies. Under Law 19.8, if the ball is hit and the ball and a fielder simultaneously ground on or beyond the boundary, the appropriate boundary is scored.
Extras — Law 24 (Byes), Law 23 (Leg Byes), Law 22 (No Ball), Law 22 (Wide)
Extras are runs added to the batting side's total that are not credited to any individual batsman's personal score:
- Byes (Law 24): If the ball passes the striker without touching the bat or the batsman's body, and the batsmen complete run(s) or the ball reaches the boundary, the resulting runs are scored as byes. Byes are charged to the fielding side's extras.
- Leg Byes (Law 23): If the ball strikes any part of the batsman's body (except the hand holding the bat) and the batsmen run or the ball reaches the boundary, runs are scored as leg byes, provided the batsman was either (a) attempting to play a stroke or (b) attempting to avoid being hit. Leg byes are not permitted if the batsman makes no genuine attempt at either.
- No Ball (Law 21): One run is added as a penalty, irrespective of whether the batsmen run. Any additional runs off a no-ball are scored as no-ball extras (not credited to the batsman's personal score unless the ball is hit and runs completed; the runs off the bat are then credited to the batsman with the no-ball penalty run remaining as extra).
- Wide (Law 22): One run is added as a penalty. Any additional runs completed by the batsmen or a boundary off a wide are also scored as extras. A wide delivery reaching the boundary scores 5 runs (1 wide penalty + 4 boundary) as extras.
- Penalty Runs (Law 42): Five-run penalties may be awarded to either side for various infractions (see Section 7). Penalty runs are not credited to any batsman's personal score; they are added directly to the relevant team's innings total.
Result — Law 16
In a two-innings match (Test), the side scoring more runs across both innings wins. If scores are equal, the match is a Tie. If the match is not completed within the allotted time or overs, it is a Draw (in Tests) or a No Result (in limited-overs). In one-innings formats (ODI, T20I), the side with the higher runs after their innings wins. If scores are tied at the end of normal play:
- ODI: A Super Over (1 over per side, 2 wickets, ICC ODI Playing Conditions, effective 2020) is played to determine the winner. If the Super Over is also tied, a further Super Over is played; this process continues until a result is achieved.
- T20I: A Super Over is also used, with the same progressive tie-breaker rule. Prior to October 2019, boundary countback was used to break tied Super Overs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup; this was replaced by progressive Super Overs after the 2019 Men's Cricket World Cup Final controversy.
Follow-On — Law 14
In a two-innings match, if the side batting first leads by a specified margin at the conclusion of the opposing team's first innings, the leading side may enforce the follow-on and require the trailing side to bat again immediately. The follow-on margin is:
- 5-day match: 200 runs or more.
- 3 or 4-day match: 150 runs or more.
- 2-day match: 100 runs or more.
- 1-day match: 75 runs or more.