Editing Obstructing the field (section)

{{Short description|Method of dismissing a batsman in cricket}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
'''Obstructing the field''' is one of the ten methods of [[dismissal (cricket)|dismissing]] a [[batsman]] in the sport of [[cricket]]. Either batsman can be given out if he wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the [[Fielding (cricket)|fielding side]] by word or action. It is Law 37 of the [[Laws of cricket]], and is a rare way for a batsman to be dismissed; in the history of cricket, there has been only two instances in [[Test cricket|Test matches]], nine in [[One Day International]] (ODI) matches, and six in [[Twenty20]] International matches. There have also been seven instances in Test cricket, and two in ODIs, where a batsman has been dismissed [[handled the ball]], a mode of dismissal now folded into obstructing the field.

One modern pattern of obstruction in [[limited overs]] cricket occurs when a batsman thinks that he is going to be [[Run out (cricket)|run out]] and blocks the ball with his bat, or changes his course while [[running between wickets]] to block the ball. The obstruction has to be deliberate.