Cricket Appeals and Howzat Explained: When Teams Appeal, Umpire Decision-Making, and Why Bad Appeals Hurt the Fielding Team
Cricket appeals — every wicket requires the fielding team to appeal ('howzat' or 'how is that?') before the umpire gives a decision. How appeals work, what happens if the fielding team does not appeal, why fielding teams sometimes appeal for dismissals they know are not out, and the code of conduct that prevents excessive appealing. The relationship between appeals, umpire pressure, and DRS reviews.
In cricket, the fielding team must appeal to the umpire before any wicket can be given — a batsman is not out unless the umpire is asked and rules the batsman dismissed. The appeal ('Howzat!' — shortened from 'how is that?') is delivered to the umpire who must then rule in or out. If no appeal is made, even a clear dismissal cannot be given — the batsman continues. This makes the appeal a fundamental part of cricket's legal and sporting framework.
The Appeal Rule: Why It Exists
Why cricket requires appeals: (1) The history: the appeal rule developed from cricket's early history when players were expected to 'walk' (leave the crease voluntarily) when dismissed — the appeal was a formal request that a third party adjudicate when voluntary departure did not occur. As cricket professionalised and stakes increased, walking became less common, and the appeal-umpire system became the formal mechanism; (2) The Law: Law 31.1 of the Laws of Cricket states that an umpire shall not give a batsman out unless an appeal is made by the fielding side. The appeal can be made by any member of the fielding team — any player from the captain to the 11th fielder can appeal. In practice, it is usually the bowler, wicketkeeper, or slips fielders who appeal most prominently; (3) The timing: an appeal must be made during the over in which the dismissal (or possible dismissal) occurred — or at the end of an over if the over has just been completed. A team cannot retrospectively appeal a dismissal from 3 overs ago; (4) Why teams sometimes appeal when not out: fielding teams sometimes appeal for dismissals they know are not plausible — hoping to put pressure on the umpire (particularly in conditions without DRS). This is a legitimate tactical element but is governed by the ICC's Code of Conduct on excessive appealing.
DRS and the Appeal System
DRS interaction with appeals: (1) DRS review after appeal: when the umpire gives 'not out' to an appeal and the fielding team believes the dismissal occurred, they can call for a DRS review. The decision is sent to the third umpire who reviews the evidence (HawkEye, Hotspot, UltraEdge). If the DRS overturns the umpire's decision, the batsman is given out; (2) Losing a DRS review: if the DRS review confirms the umpire's decision (not out), the fielding team loses one of their DRS reviews for that innings. Teams have 3 DRS reviews per innings (reduced from 2 originally). Using DRS reviews frivolously (appealing for dismissals the technology clearly refutes) wastes a valuable resource; (3) Umpire's Call: in DRS, some LBW decisions result in 'Umpire's Call' — where HawkEye's ball-tracking shows the ball hitting the stumps on the edge of the model's uncertainty range. If Umpire's Call is the outcome, the original decision stands AND the fielding team does NOT lose their DRS review. This preserves reviews for cases where a significant error clearly occurred; (4) Fielding team review strategy: teams discuss review strategy during breaks — which batsmen are likely worth reviewing (strong player who would be catastrophic to keep in), which dismissal types are most reviewable (LBW vs caught behind), and when to conserve reviews for late-innings pressure.
Walking and the Spirit of Cricket
Walking in cricket: (1) What is walking?: a batsman who 'walks' leaves the crease voluntarily when they know they are out — without waiting for the umpire's decision. The batsman is essentially self-adjudicating their own dismissal. Walking was historically the norm in amateur cricket and considered part of the 'spirit of cricket'; (2) Modern walking: most professional cricketers do not walk — they wait for the umpire's decision (and may use DRS). The rationale: dismissals can be unclear even when a player thinks they touched the ball (edges sometimes go unheard or unfelt); the umpire exists precisely to make these decisions; waiting for the DRS review is the professional standard; (3) Famous walkers: Adam Gilchrist (Australia) was famous for walking in Tests — he voluntarily left the crease when he knew he had edged the ball, even without an appeal or umpire decision. His walking was considered an exception in professional cricket and admired as a display of the spirit of cricket; (4) The MCC's position: the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC — the custodians of the Laws of Cricket) encourages walking as part of the spirit of cricket but does not require it. The Laws state that the umpire gives the decision — walking is voluntary and not legally required.
Frequently asked questions
What does howzat mean in cricket?
Howzat is the verbal appeal made by the fielding team to the umpire — a contraction of 'how is that?', asking the umpire to rule on whether the batsman is dismissed. In cricket, no dismissal can be given unless the fielding team appeals first (Law 31.1). The appeal can be made by any fielding team member (bowler, keeper, fielders) and must be made during the relevant over or at its completion. The umpire then rules 'out' (raising the finger) or 'not out' (shaking the head or calling 'not out'). If no appeal is made, the batsman cannot be given out even if a clear dismissal occurred.
Can a batsman be out without an appeal in cricket?
No — in cricket, a batsman cannot be given out unless the fielding team makes an appeal to the umpire. This is Law 31.1 of the Laws of Cricket: 'The umpires shall not give a batsman out unless appealed to by the fielding side.' If a batsman is clearly bowled, caught, or LBW, but no appeal is made, the umpire cannot raise their finger. The batsman continues. In practice, every possible dismissal generates an appeal — but the rule exists to ensure the umpire is formally requested to adjudicate before rendering a decision.
What happens if you lose a DRS review in cricket?
If a DRS (Decision Review System) review by the fielding team does not overturn the umpire's decision, the fielding team loses one DRS review for that innings. Teams have 3 DRS reviews per innings (this number has varied in ICC playing conditions history). Once all reviews are exhausted, the team cannot challenge any further umpire decisions for the remainder of that innings. However, if a review results in 'Umpire's Call' (the ball-tracking shows marginal contact with the stumps), the team does NOT lose their review — they retain it. Umpire's Call preserves reviews for cases where a significant error clearly occurred.