3. Scoring Runs
Whenever a batsman hits the ball during a delivery, he may score runs.
A run is scored by the batsmen running between the
popping creases, crossing over midway between them. When they both
reach the opposite crease, one run is scored, and they
may return for another run immediately. The fielding side attempts
to prevent runs being scored by threatening to run out one of
the batsmen.
If the batsmen are attempting to take runs, and a fielder gathers the
ball and hits a wicket with it, dislodging one or both bails,
while no batsman is behind that wicket's popping crease, then the nearest
batsman is run out. Specifically, the batsman must have
some part of his body or his bat (provided he is holding it) grounded
behind (not on) the crease.
The batsmen carry their bats as they run, and turning for another run
is accomplished by touching the ground beyond the crease
with an outstretched bat. The batsmen do not have to run at any time
they think it is unsafe - it is common to hit the ball and elect
not to run.
If the batsmen run one or three (or five! rare, but possible), then
they have swapped ends and their striker/non-striker roles are
reversed for the next ball (unless the ball just completed is the end
of an over).
In addition to scoring runs like this, if a batsman hits the ball so
that it reaches the boundary fence, he scores four runs, without
needing to actually run them. If a batsman hits the ball over the boundary
on the full, he scores six runs. If a four or six is scored,
the ball is completed and the batsmen cannot be run out. If a spectator
encroaches on to the field and touches the ball, it is
considered to have reached the boundary. If a fielder gathers the ball,
but then steps outside or touches the boundary while still
holding the ball, four runs are scored. If a fielder catches the ball
on the full and, either during or immediately after the catch,
steps outside or touches the boundary, six runs are scored.
The batsmen usually stop taking runs when a fielder is throwing the
ball back towards the pitch area. If no fielder near the pitch
gathers the ball and it continues into the outfield again, the batsmen
may take more runs. Such runs are called overthrows. If the
ball reaches the boundary on an overthrow, four runs are scored in
addition to the runs taken before the overthrow occurred.
Runs scored by a batsman, including all overthrows, are credited to
him by the scorer. The number of runs scored by each
batsman is an important statistic.
If, while running multiple runs, a batsman does not touch the ground
beyond the popping crease before he returns for the next run,
then the umpire at that end will signal one short, and the number of
runs scored is reduced by one.
