Helmets and runs ..

"The batsman played at and missed a fast delivery. The ball kept low, and the wicketkeeper couldn't take it cleanly. The ball hit a helmet on the ground behind the 'keeper' and shot off towards third man. The batsmen had started to run, when third man fielded the ball and threw down the stumps with a direct hit. The umpire gave the batsman Run out, and then awarded five Penalty runs for the ball hitting the helmet. Was this right?"

I feel sorry for this batsman.
The umpire was right to award the five Penalty runs for the ball hitting the helmet, but wrong to give the batsman out! The instant it hit the helmet it automatically became a Dead ball. Anything that happened after that was irrelevant.







Read more about Law 41 (The fielder) and Law 23 (Dead ball) and at the MCC website