Dead Ball Calls

The ball is dead (Law 20) when it settles in the keeper's or bowler's hands, when a boundary is scored, when a wicket falls, or when the umpire intervenes for safety.

The cricket ball's cork-and-leather construction dates to the 1770s (Duke's of Kent); pink and white balls were introduced later for day-night and limited-overs cricket.

Umpires call dead ball for crowd interference, animal/bird on the pitch, or distraction; the delivery is re-bowled.