“Retired not out” and “retired out” are not interchangeable. Check why the batter left, whether they returned, and, for a reason outside illness, injury or an unavoidable cause, whether the opposing captain consented to a return. “Retired” alone does not identify the entry.
Case 1: injury reason recorded, no resumption
Hypothetical example: Batter A has made 42. The ball is dead, the umpires are told that an injury is the reason for leaving, and Batter A does not resume the innings. The scorebook output is Retired not out.
The evidence used here is limited to three recorded facts: the retirement occurred with the ball dead, the reason was communicated as an injury, and there was no later resumption. This example does not diagnose the injury, assume an immediate return, or suggest that a batter should continue while in pain.
Case 2: another reason, no opposing-captain consent
Hypothetical example: Batter B has made 18 and leaves for a reason other than illness, injury, or an unavoidable cause. The ball is dead. Batter B does not resume, and the opposing captain has not consented to a return. The scorebook output is Retired out.
That result follows the stated facts, not the mere act of walking away. If the reason is simply written as “retired,” the scorekeeper should seek the missing reason, any consent, and whether the batter later resumed before selecting an entry.
When can the batter resume?
Under MCC Law 25.4, a permitted return can occur only at the fall of a wicket or another batter’s retirement. Entitlement or consent to return therefore does not mean immediate resumption at any moment.
The scores of 42 and 18 do not determine either retirement category. A record containing only a name, score and “retired” leaves the relevant reason and later outcome unresolved. Keep that entry incomplete until supporting match information is available; do not infer a medical cause from the number of runs. Competition playing conditions may differ.