At one game last weekend the non-striker was given out run-out by backing up too far and the bowler broke the wickets before delivering the ball.

It is fair enough as that is a form of cheating by the non-striker, who is taking advantage by leaving his crease early. There are many who think a bowler should not make the attempt on the first transgression, but should give a warning by stopping and indicating he could have run the batter out. This is a traditional courtesy but is not obligatory, it is the non-striker who is cheating, not the bowler. While the ball is in play, that is from the moment the bowler starts his run up to the point where the bowler would normally be expected to deliver the ball, the non-striker could be liable to be run out.

If the bowler does attempt a run-out, either with the ball in hand or by throwing the ball at the stumps, of course the non-striker is out. Should it fail, the umpire will call and signal dead ball to ensure no runs can be scored by the batting side, nor can there be further actions by the fielding side. If not clear what is happening, then the umpires should inform the scorers as the ball does not count as one in the over.

An umpire will have little warning a run-out is to be attempted and will certainly not be able to move square with the wicket and crease. However, it is usually fairly obvious, given the batter is moving away from, rather than towards, the popping crease.

On a rare occasion, a bowler may accidentally break the wicket with his hand holding the ball. Sometimes the ball is delivered, others its not. If this happens when the non-striker is out of his ground, regardless of whether the ball is delivered, then he is out.

The ball becomes dead as soon as the wicket is put down and it is not a no-ball. If, however, the non-striker is not out then the no-ball will be called if the ball was delivered, under the law of bowler breaking the wicket

There is plenty for the umpire to think about.