Why Cricket Players Say "Howzat"- The Cricket Call Explained

Cricket fans hear it every match. A bowler releases the ball, it pitches, the batsman misses, and from the field comes that unmistakable cry: "HOWZAT!" But what does it actually mean? And why does it matter so much in cricket? Here's what you need to know. 💡

What "Howzat" Actually Means

"Howzat" is simply short for "How's that?" — the literal question bowlers and fielders ask the umpire when they think a batsman is out. It's an appeal, not a declaration. The full phrase goes: "How's that? How's that? How's that, mate?" In cricket, no player can give someone out. Only the umpire decides. Players appeal because they want the umpire to check whether the batsman is actually out. The "Howzat" is the trigger for that decision.

Why Players Appeal in the First Place

Cricket's rules are different from most sports. A batsman doesn't walk off when they're out — they wait for the umpire's decision. Players have to appeal. If no one appeals, the umpire won't give the batsman out. Even if they clearly hit the ball, even if they were clearly bowled. No appeal = no decision. This means:

Bowlers must ask the question
Fielders help by joining the appeal
The umpire then decides yes or no

It's cricket's weird little rule that confuses newcomers every time.

The Most Common Appeals

Players typically shout "Howzat" for these dismissals:

Caught — ball hits the bat, fielder catches it
LBW — ball hits the pads instead of the bat, would have hit the stumps
Bowled — ball hits the stumps directly
Stumped — batsman out of crease, wicketkeeper catches and removes bails
Run out — fielding team breaks the wicket while a batsman is out of crease

Each has different rules. Each gets the same loud "HOWZAT!"

Where "Howzat" Comes From

The term is purely English. American and Australian commentators sometimes say "how's that" but "Howzat" is the condensed, shouted version that cricket invented. The tradition dates back centuries. Early cricket required players to physically remove the bails themselves to claim a wicket. Appeals formalized the process. Over time, the loud vocal appeal became part of cricket's culture. Today, it's almost theatrical. Some teams chant it. Some players scream it. The volume is meant to put pressure on the umpire.

The Umpire's Call — Why It Matters

For LBW decisions, there's a concept called Umpire's Call. This is where the technology (like Hawk-Eye or ball tracking) shows the ball hitting the stumps, but the margin is so thin that the on-field umpire's original decision stands. Here's why this matters: When the ball tracking shows the ball hitting the stumps, but less than 50% of the ball is hitting the line, it stays Umpire's Call. The original decision stands. The batting team survives. This causes arguments. Players think they've got someone out. The technology shows the ball hitting. But the umpire's original call wins. The ICC has rules about this. Technology must show the ball hitting more than 50% of the stumps for an LBW decision to be overturned.

How Technology Changed "Howzat"

Before Hawk-Eye and ball tracking, "Howzat" was just a shout. The umpire made the call based on what they saw. Human error happened. Mistakes were final. Now, every big appeal gets checked. The third umpire reviews replays. Ball tracking shows the predicted path. Hot Spot detects edges. Snickometer confirms faint edges. This changed cricket completely. The "Howzat" now has a pause. Everyone waits. The screen shows the result. The crowd holds its breath.

Why Players Keep Shouting Even After Review

You see it constantly. A team has already used their review. The umpire has given the decision. Players are still shouting "HOWZAT!" This is pure psychology. Players shout to:

Put pressure on the umpire
Show the batsman they were lucky
Keep their own team pumped
Make the opposition doubt themselves

It rarely changes the umpire's mind. But it matters for team morale.

Getting Started: How to Appeal Properly

If you're playing cricket and want to appeal like a pro:

Wait for the ball to be dead — don't appeal while the ball is still in play
All players join in — the whole team appeals together
Be loud but not abusive — excessive appealing can earn you a warning
Ask clearly — "How's that, umpire?" or "Howzat, sir?"
Accept the decision — dissent earns penalties

The key is timing. Appeal immediately after the ball is dead. Don't keep shouting after the umpire has decided. That's poor sportsmanship and will cost your team.

Umpire's Call vs. Decision Overturned: Quick Comparison

| Scenario | Technology Result | Umpire's Decision | Final Outcome | |----------|-------------------|-------------------|---------------| | Ball hitting 50% or less of stumps | Hitting | Original call stands | Not out | | Ball hitting more than 50% of stumps | Hitting | Original call stands | Out | | Ball missing stumps by any margin | Missing | Original call stands | Not out | | Clear edge detected | N/A | Decision overturned | Out | The margin is brutal. But that's cricket.

The Bottom Line

"Howzat" is cricket's way of asking a question. It's not a claim or a demand — it's an appeal to the umpire's authority. The term has been part of cricket for over a century. The technology has changed how those appeals get answered. But the shout remains the same. Next time you hear players screaming "HOWZAT!" — now you know exactly what they're asking.