Sometimes, a bird or animal may come onto the cricket field during a match. If the cricket ball hits it, the umpires decide what to do by following the Laws of Cricket.
If the Ball Hits a Bird or Animal
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The umpire may call Dead Ball if the bird or animal affects the game.
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The ball may be bowled again if the incident changes the play.
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If the umpire thinks the ball would have reached the boundary, they can still give four or six runs.
Can the Batter Be Out?
If the ball touches a bird or animal before a fielder catches it, the umpire can call Dead Ball. The catch does not count, and the batter is not out.
Has This Happened Before?
Yes. Birds, dogs, and other animals have entered cricket fields during matches. These are rare events, and the umpires handle them using the cricket rules.
If a cricket ball hits a bird or animal, the umpires decide the result. They may call Dead Ball, replay the delivery, or award boundary runs if they believe the ball would have reached the boundary.