Appealing in Cricket: What It Is and How It Works
An appeal in cricket is the fielding side's formal request for a dismissal. Without an appeal, an umpire cannot give a batter out — even if the batter clearly is.
In cricket, an appeal is a formal request from the fielding side asking the umpire to rule a batter out. Under Law 31 of the Laws of Cricket, an umpire cannot give a batter out unless an appeal has been made — making the appeal one of the sport’s most distinctive conventions.
What the law says
Law 31 is clear: the fielding side must appeal before an umpire gives a decision of out. An appeal can come from any fielder, including the bowler and the wicketkeeper. It doesn’t need to be elaborate — any verbal appeal at the right moment counts.
”Howzat!” — the traditional call
The most famous phrase in cricket is “How’s That!” — commonly rendered phonetically as Howzat. It is directed at the umpire and asks them to rule on a potential dismissal. Other variations (“Out!”, “How was that?”) are all accepted under the Laws.
When an appeal must happen
An appeal must be made before the ball is next delivered. Once the bowler starts their run-up for the following delivery, it is too late to appeal for the previous ball.
Which umpire handles which appeal?
| Appeal type | Primary umpire |
|---|---|
| Bowled | Square leg or bowler’s end umpire |
| Caught | Umpire closest to the action |
| LBW | Bowler’s end umpire |
| Run out | Umpire at the end where the wicket was broken |
| Stumped | Bowler’s end umpire |
In professional cricket, the on-field umpire may also refer a decision to the Third Umpire (TV umpire) for review using ball-tracking, Hawk-Eye, or ultra-edge technology.
The Decision Review System (DRS)
Since its introduction in international cricket, DRS has added a layer to the appeal process. If a team disagrees with an on-field decision (or lack of one), they can formally review it within a set time window. Each team has a limited number of reviews per innings; successful reviews are retained, while unsuccessful ones are lost.
Withdrawing an appeal
A fielding captain may withdraw an appeal before the next ball is bowled. This is a recognised act of sportsmanship — it may happen when a batter is clearly injured, when the fielding side suspects a misfield influenced the wicket, or simply as a gesture of fair play.
Spirit of the game
The Laws and the Spirit of Cricket both urge fielders to appeal only when they genuinely believe a dismissal has occurred, not as a routine pressure tactic on the umpire. Excessive or frivolous appealing can attract a rebuke from the umpire or match referee under the Code of Conduct.
What happens after the appeal
- Umpire signals out: batter must leave the field; the next batter comes in.
- Umpire signals not out: play continues from the position of the ball.
- Umpire is unsure: they may consult the other on-field umpire or refer to the TV umpire (under DRS).
Quick summary: An appeal — usually “Howzat!” — is a mandatory formal request under Law 31 before any batter can be given out. The fielding side must appeal before the next delivery; umpires cannot act without one. DRS gives teams a limited right to challenge decisions they disagree with.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the fielding side doesn't appeal in cricket?+
If the fielding side does not appeal, the umpire cannot give the batter out, regardless of how clear the dismissal appears. An appeal is mandatory before any decision is made.
What is the phrase used when appealing in cricket?+
The traditional appeal is 'How's That!' (often written Howzat). Any verbal appeal counts — the precise wording is not specified in the Laws.
Can an appeal be withdrawn in cricket?+
Yes. The fielding captain can withdraw an appeal at any time before the next ball is bowled. This is relatively rare but is considered a gesture of sportsmanship.