Retired Hurt vs Retired Out in Cricket: What Is the Difference

Sometimes a batter walks off the field in the middle of an innings without being dismissed. The scorecard may show “retired hurt” or “retired out”, and the difference matters more than many fans realise. One allows the batter to return later; the other ends the innings for good. In recent years, T20 teams have even used retirements as a tactic. This guide explains what the Laws say, how each case is recorded and why teams make these choices.

The relevant law

Law 25 of the Laws of Cricket covers the start and end of a batter’s innings, including retirements. A batter may retire at any time during their innings, as long as the ball is dead. The umpires must be told the reason. What happens next depends on why the batter retired.

Retired hurt: illness, injury or unavoidable cause

If a batter retires because of illness, injury or another unavoidable cause, they are entitled to resume their innings later. They can come back when the next wicket falls or another batter retires. If they do not return before the innings ends, the scorecard records them as “retired, not out”. Their runs stand, and they are not counted as a dismissed batter in the team’s total of wickets.

Common examples include a batter struck by a ball who needs medical treatment, severe cramp in hot weather or sudden illness.

Retired out: any other reason

If a batter retires for any other reason, such as a tactical decision, they may only resume their innings with the consent of the opposing captain. If they do not resume, they are recorded as “retired, out”. This counts as a dismissal for the team, so it uses up one of the ten wickets.

Why teams retire batters tactically

In T20 cricket, every ball matters. A batter who is struggling to score late in an innings may be costing the team runs. Retiring that batter out allows a more aggressive hitter to come in for the final overs. The batting team gives up a wicket, but in the last few overs a wicket is often less valuable than quick runs. This tactic has appeared in franchise leagues and has occasionally been used in international matches.

For more plain explanations of cricket laws and tactics, the 9W Agent homepage collects guides for new and regular fans.

Concussion and retirement

Head injuries are treated separately in modern cricket. A batter with a suspected concussion is assessed by medical staff and may be replaced by an approved concussion substitute in international matches. That process is different from simply retiring hurt, although the two can overlap in the early minutes after an injury.

How it appears on the scorecard

• Retired hurt and not resumed: “retired not out”, with runs recorded.
• Retired hurt and later resumed: the innings continues as normal, with one combined score.
• Retired for tactical or other reasons: “retired out”, counted as a wicket.

Common misunderstandings

• Retiring hurt does not cost the team a wicket unless the batter never returns and the innings ends with them as retired out under the other-reason rule.
• A batter cannot retire mid-delivery; the ball must be dead.
• The opposing captain has no say over a batter returning after a genuine injury.
• Retired out is different from timed out, which is about a new batter not being ready.

Key points to remember

• Batters may retire when the ball is dead and the umpires are told why.
• Injury or illness allows a return; the record is retired not out if they do not come back.
• Other reasons need the opposing captain’s consent to resume; otherwise it is retired out.
• T20 teams sometimes retire batters out to bring in big hitters late in an innings.

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