WHEN can a batsman retire? It is a question often asked of umpires.

The answer is anytime when the ball is dead, according to the law.

The umpires must be informed as to the reason why because that affects the batsman being allowed to return later on to continue his innings.

If injured or ill or any other unavoidable cause, for example a doctor on call, means he has to leave the field then he can resume his innings at the fall of a wicket without anyone’s permission.

The question of a batsman saying he had cramp arose a few weeks ago.

Now in grassroots cricket there is no directive yet to say he can’t come back with a runner, but there is in county and international matches.

Cramp is not classed as an injury in these games but who in local matches can determine if it's cramp or an aggravated previous injury?

So as the batsman further insisted it had now developed into a muscle injury then his return was allowed with a runner.

If unable to come back he is recorded as retired not out.

Now what if the batsmen decide to leave of their own accord – no injury, no illness just had enough, then they are retired out and not able to come back.

This usually happens in a friendly match, however if a batsman does want to go off for a non-illness or injury-related matter then he can only return with the consent of the opposing captain.

It’s one of the more unusual ways of being out – being timed out.

After the fall of a wicket, or the retirement of a batsman, the incoming batsman has three minutes to be in a position to take guard or his partner to be ready to receive the next ball.

Failure to do so, on appeal, will mean the umpire giving the incoming batsman out.

A way to reduce the possibility of this happening is to make sure the batsmen cross on the field of play at the fall of a wicket.

So many batsmen waiting in the pavilion don’t appear to be ready when a wicket falls and then once at the crease have a chat with the colleague about what the ball is doing, etc. when the law says either batsman could be in breach of the three minutes, but it will always be the new one who is out.

Three minutes is quite a long time but some get very close to it. An umpire has to wait for an appeal.