Summary
A batsman is stumped if the wicketkeeper breaks the stumps while the batsman is out of their crease and not attempting a run.
Full Explanation
Stumping is a dismissal effected by the wicketkeeper. The batsman is stumped if: - They step out of their crease to play a shot - They are not attempting a run - The wicketkeeper breaks the stumps before the batsman returns to their crease
The key distinction between stumping and run-out is that in a stumping, no run is being attempted. If the batsman is advancing down the pitch and the keeper collects and breaks the stumps, and there's no attempt at a run, it's a stumping.
The most controversial stumping in recent memory occurred during the 2023 Ashes when Alex Carey stumped Jonny Bairstow at Lord's. Bairstow wandered out of his crease believing the ball was dead after ducking a bouncer. Carey threw the ball at the stumps and appealed. The third umpire gave Bairstow out, sparking a furious debate about the spirit of cricket.
Key Points
- •Wicketkeeper breaks stumps while batsman is out of crease
- •Batsman must not be attempting a run (otherwise it's a run-out)
- •Ball must not have been called dead
- •Third umpire often used for close stumping decisions
Notable Controversies
- •Bairstow stumped by Carey at Lord's, 2023 Ashes — massive spirit of cricket debate
- •MS Dhoni's lightning-fast stumpings behind the stumps have been marvelled at