within the spirit of the game (the fielding side could have chosen not to appeal, in which case the batsman is never out), but was easily reassured by all concerned. Run out when the batsman considers the ball dead One issue that occurs more often in lesser, junior and indoor cricket is that, in a quiet moment after a ball has been played, the batsman may intentionally leave his crease not attempting a run, for example to talk to the non-striker or to pat the pitch. He can do this because of the customary understanding with the fielding team that the ball is considered dead at that time. If that understanding breaks down a fielder might put down the wicket. As ever, the fielding team must appeal for any dismissal to occur, and the fielding captain will withdraw the appeal if he views it to be unwarranted by the spirit of the game, which will depend on judgement of custom, practice and circumstance. But if an appeal is made, the umpire must give the batsman out unless he considers that a dead ball pertained. Such a clash of custom, or act of pure gamesmanship, occurred in the England vs Australia match at the Oval in 1882, and was carried out by W.G. Grace, who contrived to run out Sammy Jones, which supposedly riled the Australian bowler Fred Spofforth to achieve the bowling performance that won the match and caused the mock cremation that became the Ashes, making it one of the most storied matches in Test cricket history. In a similar instance in 2006, Muttiah Muralitharan was given run out in a Test match again New Zealand after leaving his crease to congratulate Kumar Sangakkara on completing his century. In a contrasting incident in a Test against India in 2011, on the last delivery before a scheduled break in play, Ian Bell was initially given run out after leaving his crease wrongly assuming a shot had reached the boundary. The appeal was subsequently withdrawn and Bell was allowed to resume his innings after the break. Running out a batsman "backing up" As a bowler enters his delivery stride, the non-striking batsman commonly 'backs up'. This means he leaves his popping crease and walks towards the other end of the wicket, so that it will take him less time to reach the other end if he and his batting partner choose