An overthrow and a simple misfield are not always the same thing. The 2026 MCC Law makes that distinction clearer.
A fielder misses the stumps
Imagine a fielder throwing towards the stumps to stop a quick second run. The throw misses everyone and reaches the boundary. The batting side may receive the boundary allowance along with runs already completed. Whether the run in progress counts depends on where the batters were at the time of the throw.
Counting the extra runs
The umpire decides the boundary and how many runs must be added. Scorers need the timing of the throw and any completed runs, not merely the fact that the ball went for four. The attribution to the batter or extras depends on how the original delivery was played.
Do not confuse a misfield
An ordinary misfield that reaches the rope is not automatically an overthrow under the new definition. Read the complete Law 19.8 before explaining a complex relay or deliberate act.
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 19, 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.