Summary
5 penalty runs are awarded for specific offences including ball tampering, fake fielding, deliberate short runs, time wasting, and the ball hitting a fielder's helmet on the ground.
Full Explanation
Five penalty runs can be awarded to the batting or fielding side for various offences:
Awarded to batting side (against fielding side): - Ball tampering - Fake fielding - Ball hitting fielder's helmet placed on the ground behind the wicketkeeper - Deliberate time wasting by the fielding side - Deliberate distraction of the batsman
Awarded to fielding side (against batting side): - Deliberate short running by the batsmen - Deliberate damage to the pitch by the batsman - Batsman's deliberate time wasting
The penalty runs are added as extras and marked separately in the scorebook. The rule about helmets on the ground was introduced after fielders were placing helmets behind the keeper — if the ball hit the helmet, it would be dead and prevent runs.
Key Points
- •Awarded for various offences including ball tampering and fake fielding
- •Can be awarded to either batting or fielding side
- •Ball hitting fielder's helmet on the ground = 5 penalty runs
- •Added as extras to the total
Notable Controversies
- •The Oval 2006 — 5 penalty runs awarded against Pakistan for ball tampering, leading to forfeiture
Related Rules
Ball Tampering (Law 41.3)
Illegally altering the condition of the cricket ball is a serious offence. Players may shine the ball using natural substances but cannot use artificial materials, scratch, or pick at the seam.
Fake Fielding
If a fielder deliberately misleads a batsman by pretending to field the ball or pretending to throw it, 5 penalty runs are awarded to the batting team.