Tell me more ×
Sports Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for participants in team and individual sport activities. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 8 down vote favorite
1

Why are 5 runs awarded if the ball hits the helmet behind the wicket-keeper?

share|improve this question
1  
I'll not post this as an answer until I can confirm it is as fact but I will speculate the following: The ball has been obstructed so a penalty is given. 5 runs is between the 4 and 6 that can be awarded for reaching the boundary so 5 fits nicely as an "arbitary" amount. Like I say, I need to confirm this. – Ste Jun 12 '12 at 9:42

4 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

It is given as a penalty for stopping or obstructing the course of the ball.

share|improve this answer
2  
This doesn't really answer the question. The question is "Why?" and you say "Because it is." – Michael Myers♦ May 30 '12 at 17:22
5  
But why five and not, say, eight or twelve? – Aarthi Jun 4 '12 at 21:34
2  
Why "five"..? All penalty runs are 5. Eg. if a batsman runs on the danger area of the pitch five runs is awarded to the opposition team. – gout Jun 13 '12 at 6:54
1  
But why did the ruling body choose five runs? They could have picked eight! Or twelve! Or seventeen! What significance is 5? Is 5 the average number of runs a person can make in the same bowl? Is 5 just easier for a ref to count? – Aarthi Jun 13 '12 at 15:05
4  
I think these are strange objections. If you want a 'why' then the question has no answer. Why is hitting the ball the boundary given 4 runs, and hitting it over given 6? It just is. – Bogdanovist Aug 2 '12 at 23:55
show 2 more comments
up vote 2 down vote

It is regarded as a penalty. And has been approved as the law of game.

share|improve this answer
1  
This doesn't give any more information than the other answer, and neither answers the actual question: why five runs? – Michael Myers♦ May 30 '12 at 17:23
up vote 2 down vote

I rekon its because A 6 has to be over the rope on the full without touching the field. So if the ball hits the helmet on the ground it was never gunna make the rope without touching. So 5 is the highest it can be, 4 for a boundry u could of scored plus an extra 1 for the obstruction.

share|improve this answer
up vote 2 down vote

The 5 run penalty was first introduced in 1798: Penalty of 5 runs if a fielder stopped the ball with his hat. Why 5 and not some other number? We can only assume the law makers felt that 6 was too harsh and 4 too lenient.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.