Penalty runs in cricket are awarded to the team when the opposite team does an ill-legal act and plays unfairly against the laws of cricket. There are several cricket rules to follow; they are essential.

 Moreover, if someone neglects or does not follow the laws of cricket, he has to face some penalty or other disadvantages, like being run out of the game. By the way, a penalty is not about the player’s dismissal from the game; it is basically an extra in the sport of cricket.

 When one team makes a mistake that does not fulfill the demands of cricket rules, the other team gets some types of extras, such as byes, leg byes, wides, no ball, and penalties. 

Here is complete exclusive data for you on penalty runs in the game of cricket according to the present cricket rules. 

Reasons for Penalty Runs To Batting Team 

There are some conditions that lead to penalty runs for the batting team. When the bowling team makes some mistakes and doesn’t follow the rules and regulations of the game, the batting team has an advantage or benefit; this benefit is penalty runs. First, discuss what situations or conditions become the reason for penalty runs for the batting team. 

Ball-Hitting Fielder’s Helmet 

When the ball hits the helmet of any fielder, which is kept by him but not worn, five penalty runs are awarded to the batting team. This scenario is well explained in Cricket Law 28. 

More interestingly, the wicketkeeper keeps his helmet on the cricket ground. When he misses the ball and it hits his helmet, it is also considered a penalty. Consequently, five penalty runs go to the batting side during the game. 

Unfair Fielding

 If the bowling team presents unfair fielding, then it is also an occasion to give penalty runs to the batting team. Unfair or illegal fielding means the fielder tries to catch the ball by using equipment, which can be his clothing or cap. 

Ball tempering 

It is also an un fair act in the game. When bowler try to damage the ball through an illegal way so batting team get five enalty runs. Simply, all tempering also leads to five penalty runs to the batting team. 

Illegal fielder touch cricket ball

According to the 41st Law of Cricket, if any fielder comes to the cricket ground without the permission of the umpire and catches the ball, then 5 runs will be given to the batting team. 

Batsman distraction due to fielding team

In 2017, the ICC introduced an addition to the cricket game: if the fielder illegally distracts the batsman during the match by adopting different techniques, such as deceiving the batter, it is unfair. 

Fielding Team Damaged The Pitch

The pitch is a vital component of the sport of cricket. It is illegal if any of the acts of the bowling team damage the pitch.  

Reasons for Penalty Runs To Bowling Team 

There are several reasons why the chance of penalty runs is awarded to the fielding team. If the batting team makes that mistake, which is illegal, the bowling team awards runs. 

Batsman short run

If a batsman tries to attempt a short run, it is also a condition of a five-point penalty run for the bowling team.  

Wastage of time

Time is also an important element of the sport of cricket. Five runs are awarded to the fielding team when the batsman seems to waste time during the match. 

Pitch Damage 

According to cricket law, if a batsman hits the pitch, there is a huge chance of giving runs to the bowling team. 

Umpire notice illegal action

In the game of cricket, the umpire has his eyes on every event in the match. If he notices illegal action from the batsman, he will give five penalty runs to the opposite team. Cricket Law 41 demonstrates it. 

Practice on Pitch Before Match 

Before the start of an official game, there is no permission to practice on the pitch. If any of the team practices before match days, then penalty runs are also awarded according to the situation. 

Other Penalty Runs Under Cricket Law 42

According to the 42-law of cricket, penalty runs can only add to the team scores if any team does unacceptable action.

So this is actually three levels of offence. The level 1 offence has some restrictions because the umpire warns the team; if it repeats, then five penalty runs go to the opposite team.

By the way, the other two levels are quite negative for the teams. Hence, after level 2 and level 3 offences, there is no warning for the team. 

Level 1 ofences Under 42 law

These ar level 1 ofences:

• Damage to cricket ground
• Oppose umire decision
• Continuously appealing
• Aggression toward umpire

Level 2 ofences Under 42 law

Following are level 2 ofences:

• Physical contact with any player aggressively 
• Insulting language toward any player
• Any action that leads to offence

Level 3 ofences under 42 law

• Threatening language to umpire
• Attempting vulgar actions to assault a player

Level 4 ofences under 42 law

Level 4 ofences are following:

• Threatening action to do something demanding
• Deliberate physical contact with umpire 
• Violence 
• Physical assaulting 

Umpire Signal on Penalty Runs

The umpire shows his actions in such a way that he places his arm on the opposite shoulder. This action demonstrates that penalty runs go to the fielding team. 

Moreover, penalty runs go to the batting team if the umpire taps on that shoulder. 

Bottom lines:

Penalty runs in cricket get one of the team when the ball touches any foreign object. So, these mistakes can lead to the loss of a winning position. So awareness of those conditions is very essential. I hope you are familiar with the penalty runs in the game.