Law 27 Appeals

Key Points

• A batsman must not be given out unless there is an appeal.
• An appeal of “How’s That?” covers all forms of dismissal.
• A batsman may leave his wicket if he feels he is out.
• A batsman is out if he is given out by an umpire or
• He leaves his wicket when he is out under any law.
• An appeal must be made before the bowler begins his run up (or action, if he has no run up) for the next ball after the incident.
• An appeal cannot be made after “time” has been called.
• Striker’s end umpire is responsible for
  • hit wicket
  • Stumped
  • Run out at his end
• Bowler’s end umpire is responsible for all other appeals.
• Umpire shall consult his colleague if he has any doubt on the manner of the dismissal and his colleague was in a better position to judge.
• If a batsman leaves his wicket under a misapprehension that he is out, without the umpire having given him out, the umpire shall call and signal dead ball.
• Captain of the fielding side may withdraw an appeal providing the batsman has not left the field of play.
• The umpires may allow such an withdrawal if it is legitimate.
• Umpire may alter his decision on an appeal providing he does so promptly and before the batsman has left the field of play.
• Umpire’s decision is final.

Important Points

Careful consideration of all appeals.

Beware of the appeal from distance.

There are 2 ways of answering an appeal:

• “Not Out” or
• by raising the index finger to give the batsman out.

• If an umpire has any doubt he should consult.
• Consultation does not imply weakness.
• When consulting ask direct questions such as “Did that ball carry?” “Was that a clean catch?”
• Scorers may need guidance on the mode of dismissal on occasions, e.g. catch stumping by keeper stood up.