© PA Photos

For all the sledging, accusations of cheating, ball-tampering and general bad behaviour, cricket remains a polite sport, one in which the bowling side has to put in a request to receive a wicket. Over the years, however, the requests have gone from solicitations to urgent beseeching to high-decibel assaults on the umpire's psyche.

Above: Jim Laker flashes a grin at the umpire for the wicket of Ian Craig (No. 3 in his historic ten-for, and No. 12 for the match) at Old Trafford, 1956.

© PA Photos

Jack Iverson raises a tentative hand as he asks for a caught-behind against Len Hutton in Melbourne, 1950.

© PA Photos

Derek Underwood is positively in the umpire's face while appealing for an lbw against Keith Stackpole at Headingley, 1972.

Ross Setford / © Getty Images

Paul Wiseman just about bursts a vessel in his effort to get a decision against Justin Langer in Auckland, 2000.

Clive Rose / © Getty Images

Stuart Broad does a scarecrow impression - which is better than the times he simply went on to celebrate a dismissal without turning around to check with the umpire.

Alexander Joe / © Getty Images

Yes, you need to check with the umpire. No, you don't actually have to be facing him when you ask.

Prakash Singh / © AFP

Method No. 57: the angry traffic cop, as depicted here by Sreesanth.

Phil Water / © Getty Images

Chris Martin does an opera singer imitation. Or maybe it's a Braveheart impression?

Eric Shaw / © PA Photos

Allan Lamb demonstrates the sort of look every batsman should adopt while any sort of appeal is on.

Daniel Berehulak / © Getty Images

What works better: synchronised appealing?

Munir Uz Zaman / © AFP

Or genuflecting?

Duif du Toit / © Getty Images

Or the two-in-one appeal: relaxing your tired back and legs while making a case for yourself?

Chris Turvey / © PA Photos

Speaking of backs, Dominic Cork must have had a very flexible one, given that all the photos of him appealing have him bent at angles between 120 and 175 degrees. This is an extra-special one, where he's able to bend his back, his knees and his feet - all at incredible angles. (Also, why have cricket trousers gone back since to being plain and boring?)

How not to influence an umpire:

Laurence Griffiths / © PA Photos

1. By looking at him like he's the slasher trying to disembowel you in a horror flick (above).

Michael Steele / © Getty Images

2. By annoying him with a starfish pose.

Sayyid Azim / © Associated Press

3. By screaming "Statue!"

© Popperfoto/Getty Images

4. By drawing the wool over your own eyes.

Cameron Spencer / © Getty Images

5. By doing the "Oh no, I left my iPhone charger at home" pose.

© Patrick Eagar/Getty Images

6. By being the only one in your team appealing

Hamish Blair / © Getty Images

And sometimes it's just better to appeal to a higher authority.

Nishi Narayanan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

 

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