Scorers check their records with the umpires; neither a majority vote nor the larger total settles a disagreement. Preserve both entries until the discrepancy is resolved.
What the hypothetical ledger shows
Hypothetical school practice example: scorer A records a team total of 41, while scorer B records 42. Both entries record three wickets. The wicket count therefore does not conflict: both scorers agree on that field. The disputed field is the run total, which differs by one.
| Ledger field | Scorer A | Scorer B | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runs | 41 | 42 | Conflict of one run |
| Wickets | 3 | 3 | No conflict |
In this fictional ledger, both scorers agreed on 40 runs after the second delivery of the eighth over. On the next delivery, A entered one run and B entered two. Thus A reaches 40 + 1 = 41, while B reaches 40 + 2 = 42. This identifies the third delivery as the disputed line, without establishing which entry is correct.
Who checks the disputed entry?
The two scorers should confer frequently, compare their records, and check them with the umpires at the intervals and conclusion required by the scoring process. They also acknowledge the umpires’ signals. These responsibilities are set out in MCC Law 3, The Scorers.
The umpire’s signal and match decision help determine how a delivery is to be recorded. The scorers then reconcile the written records with those decisions. They should not settle the matter by voting, choosing the larger total, or copying a website display. If the delivery cannot be resolved from the records and umpire information, the match’s appointed officials must handle the uncertainty under the applicable playing conditions.
Scope of this process
This explanation applies to the stated MCC scoring framework. Competition playing conditions may modify how it is applied, so the relevant competition instructions still matter. In the hypothetical ledger, the responsible conclusion is therefore: runs are disputed, wickets are agreed, and the final total remains unconfirmed until the scorers and umpires complete their check.