Cricket / Law 40
Timed out
MCC · 2017 Code · 4th edition · 2026In short
How quickly the next batter must be ready after a wicket or retirement under the supplied MCC Laws.
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Law 40 — Ready within 3 minutesLaw 40 — Ready within 3 minutes
Unless Time has been called, after a dismissal or a batter’s retirement the incoming batter must be ready to receive, or enable the other batter to be ready to receive, the next delivery within 3 minutes. Failure makes the incoming batter liable to timed out. Simply entering the field within that period is not the stated test.
For an extended delay in which nobody comes to the wicket, the umpires use the match-award procedure. For that purpose the delay is measured from expiry of the 3-minute limit. The bowler receives no wicket credit for timed out.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Based on the supplied MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code, 4th edition (2026). Competition playing conditions, including those for international and T20 cricket, may differ and are not added to this guide. References use PDF page numbers.
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