No, generally a cricketer is not allowed to deliberately kick a ball during play.
While there isn't a specific law explicitly forbidding kicking the ball, doing so could lead to a batter being given out "obstructing the field." This law protects fielders attempting to field the ball and prevents batters from unfairly interfering with play.
Here's a breakdown:
-
Obstructing the Field: Law 37 of the Laws of Cricket deals with obstructing the field. If a batter deliberately uses their body, including their feet, to prevent a fielder from catching the ball or running them out, they can be dismissed.
-
Unintentional Kicks: Accidental contact with the ball by a foot is usually not penalized. It's the intent that matters.
-
Example Scenario: Imagine a fielder is about to run a batter out, and the batter intentionally kicks the ball away from the stumps. This would almost certainly be considered obstructing the field.
In conclusion, while not strictly illegal to touch the ball with a foot, deliberately kicking it to gain an unfair advantage or obstruct a fielder will likely result in the batter being given out.
