Caught is a method of dismissing a batsman in the sport of cricket. Being out caught is the most common method of dismissal. This method of dismissal is covered by Law 32 of the Laws of cricket which reads:
A batsman is out caught if a fielder catches the ball fully within the
field of play without it bouncing once the ball has touched the
striker's bat or glove holding the bat. If a batsman could be given out
caught or by any other method except bowled, 'caught' takes
precedence.
This means that the batsman cannot be out if:
- The ball is called a no ball or dead ball.
- Batsman does not hit the ball with his bat or the gloved hand holding the bat.
- The hit ball makes contact with the field before a fielder catches the ball.
- The caught ball must be under the control of the fielder to be registered as a catch; if the fielder loses control of the ball, the batsman cannot be out — caught.
- If the ball it hit and lands beyond the boundary; (six runs).
- A fielder taking a catch makes contact with the boundary rope.
If a batsman is out — caught, any runs score off that delivery are voided. If the catch is taken by the wicket-keeper, then informally it is known as a "caught behind". A catch by the bowler is known as a "caught and bowled" (this has nothing to do with the dismissal bowled).
If the catch taken is pronounced or obvious, the players need not appeal to the umpire; the batsman normally chooses to acknowledge the dismissal himself. However, in the event that the ball brushes the edge of the bat, or the catch is taken very close to the ground or the ball appearing to come off the bat very close to the pitch surface (bump ball), or if the batsman is reluctant to accept that he has been dismissed, the fielding team has to appeal to the umpire for this decision.
The bowler is credited to have taken the batsman's wicket (dismissed him) for this type. If the two batsmen cross each other, in attempting to take a run, before the catch was taken, the new incoming batsman becomes the non-striker.