When you see "63 not out" on a cricket scorecard, it means the batter scored 63 runs and was not dismissed when their innings finished. The player was still at the crease as the innings ended, whether due to a target being chased, time expiring, or the team being all out at the other end.
How an innings ends while a batter is safe
In cricket, a batter is only out if they are dismissed by the opposition. If the innings ends while they are still batting, they are recorded as "not out." There are four main scenarios where this happens.
- Target reached: In limited-overs formats like T20s or ODIs, if the batting team chases down the required runs, the batters at the crease when the final run is scored are not out.
- Declaration: In Test matches, a captain can declare the innings closed to save time for bowling. The two batters at the crease at that moment are not out.
- Time or weather: If the scheduled playing time expires or rain stops play permanently, batters at the crease are not out.
- Team all out: An innings ends when nine wickets fall. If the ninth wicket falls, the lone batter remaining at the crease is not out, regardless of their score.
The asterisk notation
Scoreboards and match reports use an asterisk (*) next to the score to indicate a not out status. So, 63* and 63 not out mean the same thing. This notation is crucial for distinguishing between a batter who was dismissed on 63 and one who finished on 63.
Impact on batting averages
The "not out" status has a direct mathematical effect on a player's career statistics, specifically their batting average. A batter's average is calculated by dividing their total runs by the number of times they have been dismissed, not the number of innings played.
| Metric | Calculation |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | Total Runs / Total Dismissals |
Because a not out innings does not count as a dismissal, it does not appear in the denominator of this equation. Wicket-keepers and close bowlers often accumulate high averages because they frequently finish innings not out. This statistical advantage is a well-known factor in cricket analytics.
The legacy of Phillip Hughes
While "not out" is a standard scoring rule, the score of 63 not out holds a specific place in cricket history. In November 2014, Australian Test batsman Phillip Hughes suffered a fatal head injury while batting on 63 in a domestic Sheffield Shield match.
In a tribute to Hughes, Cricket Australia and match officials agreed to amend the official scorecard. His final innings is permanently recorded as 63 not out. This decision transformed a specific score into a symbol of remembrance in the cricketing world. Fans and players recognize the notation "63*" as a memorial to Hughes.
Reading the scorecard
Understanding this notation helps fans interpret match results more accurately. A high score with an asterisk indicates a batter who survived to the end of the innings. This is often a sign of tactical awareness, as batters may play conservatively to finish not out, which benefits their personal statistics. Whether in a fast-paced T20 chase or a multi-day Test match, the asterisk signals that the batter's wicket remained intact until the end of the innings.