The Appeal Process in Cricket: How Dismissals Are Given
How the appeal process works in cricket — why players must appeal, what counts as a valid appeal, when umpires can give batters out without an appeal, and the role of the third umpire in modern appeals.
Why Must Players Appeal?
Under the Laws of Cricket (Law 31), an umpire cannot give a batter out unless the fielding side first appeals. The appeal is made verbally — the traditional phrase is 'How's that?' or 'Howzat?' — though any clear appeal from the fielding side to the umpire counts. This requirement protects batters from being given out accidentally by an umpire who notices an infraction that the fielding side missed. Without an appeal, the batter stays in regardless of what happened.
What Counts as a Valid Appeal?
Any loud, clear signal from a fielder (or the bowler) directed at the umpire requesting a wicket counts as a valid appeal. The appeal must be made before the ball is dead. If the ball is dead (e.g. the fielding side has returned to their positions after the delivery is complete) before an appeal is lodged, the umpire cannot give the batter out for that delivery. There is no formal limit on the number of appeals per over, but excessive or abusive appealing can be penalised by the umpire under the Laws' conduct provisions.
Timing of the Appeal
The appeal must be lodged before the next delivery begins. If the fielding side fails to appeal for a caught behind that actually occurred, they cannot retrospectively appeal after the next ball is bowled. This creates occasional injustices: a batter who edged behind and was not given out cannot be dismissed for that delivery if the wicketkeeper's appeal came too late. The Laws are strict on timing to prevent post-hoc appeals disrupting the flow of play.
DRS and the Modern Appeal
In DRS matches, the fielding captain can request a DRS review after making an appeal that the on-field umpire rejects. The review must be initiated before the next delivery begins. If the umpire gives the batter out, the batting captain can review the decision instead. The DRS review is separate from the initial appeal — the appeal must still come first, then the review follows if the initial appeal is unsuccessful.
Frequently asked questions
Can an umpire give a batter out without an appeal?
No. Under Law 31, an umpire cannot give a batter out unless the fielding side appeals first. The only exception is a batter who obstructs the field or handles the ball without an appeal — these can be raised by the umpire themselves in some circumstances.
What does 'Howzat?' mean in cricket?
Howzat (from 'How's that?') is the traditional appeal cry in cricket. It is directed at the umpire by the fielding side to request a wicket. Any clear verbal appeal achieves the same effect.
Can a fielder appeal for a wicket that the captain does not want to review?
Yes — any fielder can appeal. However, only the fielding captain may request a DRS review. If the fielding side appeals and the umpire gives the batter out, the batting captain then decides whether to review. If the umpire gives not out and the fielding captain does not want to spend a DRS review, the decision stands.