Top 5 most bizarre dismissals in cricket history

• Rare cricket laws have caused bizarre dismissals in international play
• Angelo Mathews became the first player timed out in the 2023 WC
• Handled the ball is now merged into obstructing the field rules

Cricket's laws are famously complex, leading to some truly bizarre outcomes. While most wickets fall in familiar ways, a few rare and strange dismissals have baffled players, umpires, and fans, writing themselves into the sport's folklore.

The First of its Kind: Obstructing the Field

In a tense 1951 Ashes Test at The Oval, England’s legendary opener Len Hutton became the first player in Test history to be given out for obstructing the field. After top-edging a delivery, the ball looped up and looked as if it might roll back onto his stumps. Hutton, acting instinctively, used his bat to knock the ball away. However, in doing so, he also prevented South Africa's wicketkeeper, Willie Endean, from taking a potential catch. The umpires conferred and, to the astonishment of many, gave him out. Hutton later said he was only trying to protect his wicket, but the umpires ruled his action as a wilful obstruction of a fielder. It was a landmark moment that remains a point of debate about intent versus instinct.

A Helping Hand: The Non-Striker's Mistake

Perhaps one of the most peculiar dismissals involved a player who wasn't even facing the bowler. In a 1979 Test between Australia and Pakistan, Australian batsman Andrew Hilditch was at the non-striker's end. After a wayward throw from a fielder rolled onto the pitch, Hilditch helpfully picked up the ball and returned it to the bowler, Sarfraz Nawaz. To his shock, Nawaz appealed. The umpire had no choice but to rule Hilditch out for 'handled the ball', making him the only non-striker in international cricket to be dismissed in this manner. The incident was widely seen as against the spirit of the game, sparking considerable debate.

A Brain Fade in Peshawar: Inzamam's Infamous Block

Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq was known for his elegant batting but also for his often-comical running between the wickets. In a 2006 ODI against India, this reputation took a strange turn. After playing a defensive shot, Inzamam found himself out of his crease. India's Suresh Raina fielded the ball and threw it towards the stumps at the striker's end. Instead of getting back in his crease, Inzamam stood his ground and casually blocked the throw with his bat as if playing another shot. The Indian team appealed, and Inzamam was given out for obstructing the field. He later claimed he didn't understand the exact rule and thought he was defending himself, adding another chapter to his history of unusual dismissals.

A Moment of Misjudgement: Michael Vaughan's Regret

In a 2001 Test match in Bangalore, England’s Michael Vaughan was batting confidently against India on 64. After attempting to sweep spinner Sarandeep Singh, the ball got lodged between his pad and arm before dropping to the ground. Believing he was being helpful, Vaughan picked up the ball and flicked it away. The Indian players appealed and Vaughan was given out 'handled the ball'. Vaughan later admitted his regret, stating he should have just held his hands up and admitted he “got it all wrong” and was an “idiot”. Since a 2017 law change, 'handled the ball' is no longer a separate dismissal and is now classified under 'obstructing the field'.

A World Cup First: The Helmet Malfunction

The most recent and high-profile strange dismissal occurred in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews made history for all the wrong reasons, becoming the first player in international cricket to be 'timed out'. After the previous batsman was out, an incoming player has two minutes to be ready to face the next ball. Mathews walked to the crease but then discovered his helmet strap was broken and signalled for a replacement. By the time the new helmet arrived, the two-minute window had passed. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed, and the umpires had to uphold the law, sending a stunned Mathews back to the pavilion without facing a single delivery.