Unfair action by the keeper

"Recently during a match, the bowler bowled a ball down the leg. The keeper was standing just behind the stumps and collected the ball but he pretended to have missed the ball, turned back and shouted for the ball. The slip and the fine leg started running towards where the ball would have gone but when the batsman started to run, the wicket keeper broke the stumps. The appeal was turned down. Was it the right decision? What does the rule say?"

This action is clearly unfair and is against the Spirit of Cricket and the game's traditions. In accordance with Law 42.2, which says that the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play,

Dead ball must be called by whichever umpire is first aware of the situation.

The bowler's end umpire will then inform the captain of the fielding side of the offence and tell him it will be reported.

After the match the umpires together will, in accordance with Law 42.18, report the incident to the Executive of the fielding side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match.




Read more about Law 42.2 (Fair and unfair play) at the MCC website