Boundary (cricket) facts for kids

In the game of cricket, the boundary is the very edge of the playing field. Imagine a big circle or oval where the game happens; the boundary is the line that marks its outer limit. Often, a rope is placed along this line so everyone can clearly see it. The word "boundary" can also mean the special points, called runs, that a team scores when the ball reaches or crosses this line. These special scores are usually either four runs or six runs.

What is the Boundary?

The cricket field is usually a large oval or circle. In big international games, the boundary line is usually at least 60 meters (about 200 feet) away from the middle of the field. This gives players a lot of space to hit the ball and run.

Scoring Runs with a Boundary

When the ball is hit by a batter and it reaches the boundary, special runs are scored. The ball is then considered "dead," meaning it's out of play until the next ball is bowled.

• If the ball touches the ground inside the field and then rolls or bounces to touch the boundary line (or goes over it), it's worth four runs. This is often called a "four."
• If the ball is hit by the batter and flies over the boundary line without touching the ground inside the field, it's worth six runs. This is called a "six."

Sometimes, a fielder might accidentally throw the ball over the boundary. If this happens, four extra runs are added to the score. These are called "overthrows." These runs are added to any runs the batters might have already scored by running between the wickets.

If a fielder is touching the boundary line, or the ground outside it, and then touches the ball, it's treated as if the ball itself touched the boundary. This also applies if a fielder jumps from outside the boundary, catches the ball, and lands back outside the boundary. In these cases, the boundary runs are scored.

When a boundary (either a four or a six) is scored, any runs the batters were trying to score by running between the wickets usually don't count. The boundary runs take priority. However, if the batters had already completed more runs by running than the boundary would give them (for example, they ran 5 runs, but the ball then went for a 4), then the running runs count instead.

The rules of cricket allow the teams and umpires to agree to change how many runs a boundary is worth before a game starts. This is rare in professional cricket.

How to Score Four Runs

You score four runs when the ball hits the ground inside the playing area and then touches the boundary line or goes over it. It's like a ground shot that reaches the edge of the field.

How to Score Six Runs

You score six runs when the ball is hit so hard that it flies over the boundary line without bouncing or touching the ground inside the field. This is usually a very powerful shot!

Images for kids

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  A cricket oval in Wallendbeen, New South Wales with a white picket fence, traditionally used as the boundary

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  A traditional boundary rope

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  A batsman scoring a six during a game at Chrishall, Essex

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  Shahid Afridi holds the world record for most sixes in ODIs.

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  At the MCG a yellow seat marks the biggest six hit at the ground.