Handled the Ball

A batsman will be dismissed Handled the ball if he deliberately touches the ball with his hand or hands (including gloves) without someone on the fielding side giving him permission to do so. The hand or hands he uses to do this must not be in contact with his bat at the time. The batsman should not be given out if the ball hits him on the hand while he is taking evasive action to avoid being injured.
If a member of the fielding side does give permission for him to touch the ball, he is entitled to pick it up - usually for the purposes of returning it to a fielder - without penalty. But if he tries to do this without permission and someone appeals, he should be given out. Interestingly this dismissal will be for Obstructing the field, not Handled the ball - and occurs only rarely.

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