Yes. The non-striker can be run out for leaving their ground too early. It is a lawful run-out, not a separate kind of dismissal.
The bowler stops in the run-up
A non-striker is keen to get a head start and steps out before the bowler completes the action. The bowler notices and breaks the wicket at that end while the non-striker is still short. The key question is whether the attempt happened within the time allowed by the Law, not whether someone thinks it was sporting.
Who gets credit?
The umpire at the bowler’s end decides the appeal. If the batter is out, the scorer records a run-out, which is not credited to the bowler. The attempted delivery does not become a valid ball in the over.
Timing is important
The 2026 Law sets a precise cut-off linked to the bowler’s normal action. Do not describe it loosely as “any time before release” when explaining close cases.
These examples explain the general MCC Laws. International matches and local competitions can use different playing conditions. For an official decision, check the full law and the rules for your match.
Check the official law
MCC reference: Law 38, 2017 Code, 4th Edition (2026). Read the official MCC Laws of Cricket.
Open the interactive Cricket Laws Centre →Cricstars independent learning resource · Source edition: MCC 2026 · Prepared 21 October 2026. Not an official MCC or ICC ruling.