Walking in cricket is a batter leaving the field of play on the assumption that they are out, before (or in some cases against) the umpire's decision. The verb 'walk' in cricket is almost exclusively used in this context: "he's walking", "should she walk?" etc.
Notes:
- Walking — or whether or not batters should walk when they are obviously out — is one of the most controversial aspects of cricket. If you know you have been caught out, but the umpire does not notice that you have hit the ball, should you walk? Cricket journalist David Mutton gives a succinct history of walking here. Mutton notes strong criticism by passing observers, such as Richard Dawkins, then explains that the tradition of walking when you are out has been replaced by a professional standard of standing your ground until the umpire dismisses you.
- If a batter walks despite not being given out, it is generally applauded as a gesture of sportsmanship by the fielding team and any spectators watching. The batter's own teammates might not be so happy, though. It appears the matter is likely to be debated every time something controversial happens.
Examples:
- One of the most famous incidents of walking in cricket came at the 2003 World Cup in a match between Australia and Sri Lanka. Opener Adam Gilchrist had got Australia off to a good start in their innings but in the sixth over, the ball struck his glove on the way to being caught by Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara. The umpire did not give Gilchrist out, but he walked anyway. Gilchrist later admitted that this decision was not popular among his teammates.
- In a Test match between Australia and West Indies, the stump microphone picked up a loud nick off Australian batsman Mark Waugh's bat as the ball passed through to the wicketkeeper. The West Indies players celebrated but Waugh refused to walk, instead waiting for the umpire's decision before acknowledging that he was out. For standing his ground, Waugh was criticised by commentators who felt he should have walked as the edge was obvious.
- This video contrasts two incidents during the 2011 World Cup involving two of the finest batsmen of the era. In the first, Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar walks before the umpire gives him out as he knows he has hit the ball. In the second, Australian batsman Ricky Ponting chooses to wait for the third umpire's decision despite a thick edge off his bat. (Note the loud appeal by the Pakistan players, who are convinced that Ponting is out.)