How do I score boundaries and credit runs to the striker or the bowler?

Under Laws 18 and 19 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

Boundaries

• Before the toss, the umpires and both captains settle the boundary allowances, guided by the prevailing custom of the ground. Unless determined differently, a Boundary 6 is 6 runs and a Boundary 4 is 4 runs (19.6).
• A Boundary 6 is scored if and only if the ball has been struck by the bat and is first grounded beyond the boundary without having touched the ground within the field of play, even if it previously touched a fielder (19.7.1).
• A Boundary 4 is scored when a ball grounded beyond the boundary was first grounded within the boundary, or was not struck by the bat (19.7.2).
• The batting side is awarded the greater of the boundary allowance or the runs completed by the batters (plus the run in progress if they had already crossed) at the instant the boundary is scored (19.7.3). Penalty runs are not affected (19.7.5).
• Overthrows and wilful acts of a fielder are handled under 19.8, which adds the boundary allowance to runs completed at the instant of the throw or act.

Crediting runs (18.10)

• If the ball is struck by the bat, all runs are credited to the striker, except 5 Penalty runs (scored as Penalty runs) and the one-run No ball penalty (scored as a No ball extra).
• If the ball is not struck by the bat, runs are scored as Penalty runs, Byes, Leg byes, No ball extras or Wides as the case may be.
• The bowler is debited with all runs scored by the striker, all No ball extras and all Wides.