Over the years, cricket has witnessed the emergence of several new rules to enhance the game’s dynamics. Among these are the introduction of powerplays, the Decision Review System (DRS), and the use of pink balls for day-night Tests. Additionally, there is the “retired hurt” rule.
So, what is retired hurt in cricket? In cricket, a batsman has the option to retire from an innings whenever the ball is dead. Upon retirement, they must be substituted by a teammate who hasn’t been dismissed. This is often due to injury or illness, allowing the batsman to resume their innings later if they recover.
Retired During a Cricket Match
Retirement in cricket is governed by Law 25 of the Laws of Cricket, which delineates two forms of retirement. If a batsman is incapacitated due to illness or injury, they are classified as retired – not out and are eligible to resume batting upon recovery. Conversely, in all other scenarios, the batsman is deemed retired – out and cannot re-enter the innings unless the opposing captain grants an exemption.
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The MCC Law States
25.4.2: If a batter retires because of illness, injury or any other unavoidable cause, that batter is entitled to resume his/her innings. If for any reason this does not happen, that batter is to be recorded as ‘Retired – not out’.
24.5.3: If a batter retires for any reason other than as in 25.4.2, the innings of that batter may be resumed only with the consent of the opposing captain. If for any reason his/her innings is not resumed, that batter is to be recorded as ‘Retired – out’.
Retired Not Out
Should a batting player sustain an injury, fall ill, or encounter any other exceptional circumstance necessitating their departure from the field, they can retire not out with the umpire’s approval.
If the retired batsman recuperates before the innings concludes, they may resume batting upon the dismissal or retirement of another batsman. However, if they remain unable to return, the batting team must declare its innings closed once all batsmen are out except for one who is not out or retired. Consequently, the innings may conclude even if the team has lost fewer than ten wickets due to retirements or other factors.
This scenario is called “retired – not out,” or “retired – hurt”. The batsman retains their ‘not out’ status for statistical analysis, such as when computing batting averages. Retired hurt meaning in cricket is often confused with retired-out, but both are different.
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Retired Out
If a batsman retires for any reason other than injury or without the umpire’s sanction, they are deemed to have conceded their wicket and are consequently out. Without an exemption from the opposing captain, the retired batsman cannot resume play. This event is logged on the scorecard as ‘retired – out’ and is regarded as a dismissal for statistical purposes, although it is not attributed to a specific bowler.
Only two batsmen have retired out in a Test match, with both incidents happening in the same innings. Sri Lankan cricketers Marvan Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardene retired out during a match against Bangladesh in 2001. Their decision stirred controversy as they retired out to provide the rest of the team with batting practice.
List of Famous “Retired Hurt” in Cricket History
1. Malcolm Marshall: Broken Thumb, Headingley, 1984
One of the greatest West Indian fast bowlers, Malcolm Marshall showed great heart and zeal during the 1984 Headingley Test against England. He had a fractured thumb on the the first morning seemed to tip the scales in England’s favor. Buoyed by the incident, England posted 270 runs in their first innings, with Allan Lamb scoring a century and Michael Holding taking 4 for 70.
By Day Three, West Indies had fought back. Larry Gomes was the star of the innings with an unbeaten 96. When Joel Garner fell as the ninth wicket, Marshall walked out in the most unexpected manner. He batted with one hand. But stayed long enough for Gomes to reach his hundred.
He was not done, he followed it up with the ball in hand and with a fractured thumb, he sliced through England’s lineup, claiming a sensational 7 for 53. England was knocked out for 159 and West Indies won by eight wickets – this is still considered to be one of the most iconic retired hurt in cricket.
2. Anil Kumble: Broken Jaw – Antigua, 2002
Former India captain Anil Kumble was one of the greatest match-winners for the side and his greatest virtue was his resilience. In one of the Test match in Antigua, he took a brutal blow to the jaw from a Mervyn Dillon bouncer while batting against the West Indies. Even as blood gushed oyt, he refused to back down and continued his innings.
X-rays later confirmed a fractured jaw, effectively ruling him out of the series. He even had his flight scheduled for the next day, but Kumble was not going anywhere. His jaw was heavily bandaged but then he returned to the field and bowled 14 overs, resetting the bandage almost every over. His effort was rewarded when he dismissed Brian Lara, one of the game’s finest batters.
3. Gary Kirsten: Hit by a Shoaib Akhtar bouncer
In the 2003-04 Test at Lahore, Gary Kirsten exemplified toughness in the face of adversity. After Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs gave South Africa a steady start, Kirsten came in at No. 3 and looked solid as usual. However, he was hit by Shoaib Akhtar who was bowling from around the wicket and whipped in a ferocious bouncer.
Kirsten attempted a pull shot but was beaten by the pace. The ball struck him flush on the face, leaving him on his knees. He retired hurt in cricket on 53 and he was later diagnosed with a broken nose. Despite the injury, his courage in facing one of the world’s fastest bowlers left a lasting impression.
4. Graeme Smith: Broken Hand – Sydney, 2009
The 2009 Sydney Test between Australia and South Africa was a battle of resilience and determination. South Africa, having chased down a record 414 runs in the first Test and sealed the series in the second, faced a stern challenge in the final match.
Australia posted 394 in their first innings. In response, Graeme Smith launched a counterattack, scoring 30 off as many balls. But his charge was halted by a brutal delivery from Mitchell Johnson, which fractured his left hand. With their captain injured, South Africa managed 327 runs before being bowled out.
Set a daunting target of 376 for victory, South Africa fought valiantly for a draw. With nine overs left and Dale Steyn dismissed as the ninth wicket, the match seemed over. Then, to the astonishment of the cricketing world, Smith walked out to bat again – despite being retired hurt, his broken hand heavily strapped. He could not quite hold on, but this was an iconic moment.
Can retired hurt player play again?
Yes. Upon feeling better, the player can return to play again before their team’s innings ends. A batter who retires hurt can only resume their innings when another batter in their team is retired or a wicket falls.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the “retired hurt” rule in cricket embodies the sport’s commitment to player safety and fairness. By allowing players to temporarily exit the field due to injury or illness, with the possibility of returning to play later, the rule balances the competitive spirit of the game with the well-being of its participants.
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FAQ’s Retired Hurt in cricket
Q) What does “retired hurt” mean in cricket?
A) It refers to a batter leaving the field due to injury or illness but they can resume their innings when they recover.
Q) Can a batter who retires hurt return to bat later?
A) Yes, a batter can resume their innings once they recover, provided their team’s innings is still ongoing.
Q) What is the difference between retired hurt and retired out?
A) Retired hurt is different from retired out as the batter can come out to resume their innings in the former.
Q) Is a retired hurt batter considered out?
A) No, a retired hurt batter is recorded as “not out” unless they are unable to return by the end of the innings.
Q) Can a player retire for reasons other than injury and return later?
A) No, unless the opposing captain grants permission, retiring for reasons other than injury typically results in the batsman being recorded as “retired out.”
