Umpire (cricket)
In cricket, an umpire (from the Old French nompere meaning not a peer, i.e. not a member of one of the teams, impartial) is a person who has the authority to make decisions about events on the cricket field according to the Laws of Cricket. Besides making decisions about legality of delivery, appeals for wickets and general conduct of the Game in a legal manner, the umpire also keeps a record of the deliveries and announces the completion of an over.
A cricket umpire is not to be confused with the referee who usually presides only over international matches and makes no decisions affecting the outcome of the game.
Overview
Traditionally, cricket matches have two umpires on the field, one standing at the end where the bowler delivers the ball (bowler's end), and one directly opposite the facing batsman (usually, but not always, at
The
Professional matches also have a
Minor cricket matches will often have trained umpires. The independent
In accordance with the tradition of cricket, most ordinary, local games will have two umpires, one supplied by each side, who will fairly enforce the accepted rules.
Positions
When a ball is being bowled, one umpire (the bowler's end umpire) stands behind the
The second (the striker's end umpire) takes the position that they feel gives them the best view of the play. Through long tradition, this is usually square leg – in line with the popping crease and a few yards to the batsman's leg side – hence they are sometimes known as the square leg umpire.
However, if a fielder takes up position at square leg or somewhere so as to block their view, or if there is an injured batsman with a runner, then the umpire must move somewhere else – typically either a short distance or to point on the opposite side of the batsman. If the square-leg umpire elects to stand at point, they are required to inform both the batsmen, the captain of the fielding team, and their colleague. They may also move to the point position later in the afternoon if the setting sun prevents a clear view of the popping crease at their end.
It is up to the umpires to keep out of the way of both the ball and the players. In particular, if the ball is hit and the players attempt a run, then the umpire behind the stumps will generally retreat to the side, in case the fielding side attempts a run out at that end.
At the end of each over, the two umpires will exchange roles. Because the bowler's end alternates between overs, this means they only move a short distance.
Decisions and signals
During play, the umpire at the bowler's end makes the decisions, which they mainly indicate using arm signals. Some decisions must be instantaneous, whereas for others they may pause to think or discuss it with the square leg umpire, especially if the latter may have had a better view.
At the end of an over
The umpire keeps a record of the deliveries and announces the completion of an over. Occasionally an umpire may miscount, leading to one too many or too few balls being bowled in the over, however in most grades the scorers may communicate with the umpires to determine the correct count.
When the ball is in play
These decisions have an important effect on the play and are signalled straight away.
Out
An umpire will not give a batsman out unless an
The umpire's response is either to raise their index finger above their head to indicate that the batsman is out, or to clearly say "not out", which is usually accompanied with a shake of the head.[4] The 'out' signal is the only signal that, if indicated by the striker's end umpire, does not require confirmation by the bowler's end umpire.[5]
No-ball
Either umpire may call, and signal, no-ball, for an illegal delivery, although each umpire has unique jurisdictions. The most usual causes for no-balls are foot faults or a ball passing above a batsman's waist without bouncing, each of these being under the jurisdiction of the umpire at the bowler's end. The square-leg umpire will rarely have to call a no-ball, as their jurisdiction is limited to infringements that occur less frequently such as short pitched deliveries which pass the batting crease above the batsman's shoulders. The signal is to hold one arm out horizontally and shout "no-ball"; the idea being that the batsman is aware of the no-ball being bowled.[6] In matches under the auspices of the ICC, it may also be a no-ball if the umpire feels that the bowler's arm is bent more than 15 degrees (throwing rather than bowling). The ICC have chosen to amend Law 21.2 (Fair Delivery – the arm) as a result of controversy concerning the legality or otherwise of bowling actions of certain prominent bowlers.[who?]
Free hit
In certain forms of limited overs cricket, such as T20s and ODIs, a no-ball that is the result of the bowler overstepping the crease or bowling above a batsman's waist will be penalised by the next delivery being a free hit. The umpire will signal this by circling a finger horizontally over their head, usually following a no-ball signal (and any other signals associated with the no-ball such as a boundary). During a free hit delivery, batters cannot be dismissed caught, bowled, leg before wicket or stumped.
Wide
A wide is an illegal delivery, due to it being "wide of the striker where they are standing and would also have passed wide of them standing in a normal guard position" (Law 22). A wide is signalled by extending both arms out horizontally and is accompanied by a call of Wide Ball. If a delivery satisfies the criteria for both a No Ball and a Wide, the call and penalty of No Ball takes precedence. Umpires are not to signal a wide until the ball has passed the batsman. If a batsman chooses to pursue a wide delivery, once contact with the bat takes place it cannot be called wide.
Dead ball
If the ball is no longer considered in play it is a dead ball. An umpire will signal this by crossing and uncrossing their wrists below their waist with the call Dead Ball, if they are required to do so under certain Laws, and also may do it if they think it is necessary to inform the players.[7]
A similar signal is also used to indicate a "not out" from the Decision Review System. This is signalled by an umpire crossing their hands in a horizontal position in front and above their waist three times.[8]
Signals to scorers
It is important that the
Four
If a batsman scores
Six
A
Bye
If runs are to be scored as byes, the umpire will hold up one open palm above the head.[11]
Leg bye
Leg byes are signalled by the umpire touching a raised knee.[12]
Short run
If one of the batsmen turns to complete runs after the first without grounding their person or equipment behind the popping crease, then a short run is signalled by the umpire tapping their near shoulder with their fingers and the short runs are not scored. If more than one run is short, the umpire will inform the scorers as to the number of runs scored.[13] There is also a case of deliberate short running, where the umpire will disallow all runs, although this is a rather rare occurrence.
Decision Review System
If the umpire is unsure of a "line decision" (that is, a run out or stumped decision) or if the umpire is unsure whether the ball is a four, a six, or neither, they may refer the matter to the Third Umpire. The umpires may additionally refer decisions to the Third Umpire regarding Bump Balls and catches being taken cleanly (but only after the on-field umpires have consulted and both were unsighted). Additionally the players may decide to refer a dismissal decision to the Third Umpire. The on-field umpire signals a referral using both hands to mime a TV screen by making a box shape.[14]
If the Third Umpire decides that the on-field umpire made an incorrect decision then they will inform the on-field umpire, via headsets, of what they have seen and tell them to either change their decision or to stay with their original decision. The on-field umpire may then have to signal the 'revoke last signal' sign (below).
The Third Umpire is not used except in international or important domestic matches.
Penalty runs
For extreme misconduct by one team, the umpire may award five penalty runs to the other team. Placing one arm on the opposite shoulder indicates that the penalty runs are awarded to the fielding team, but if the umpire taps that shoulder, the penalties are awarded to the batting team.[15]
Five penalty runs are more commonly awarded when the ball strikes a foreign object on the field, usually a helmet of the fielding side.
Last hour
In Test cricket and first-class cricket, the last hour of the last day of play has special significance. First, there is a minimum number of overs (20 in the Laws of Cricket, fifteen in Tests) that must be bowled in the last hour. Second, and more importantly, a result must be reached before the time elapses and the umpire calls "stumps" for the match to have a winner; otherwise, the match ends with a draw and no winner. The umpire signals the last hour by pointing to their wrist (and the watch on it), which is raised above their head.[16]
Revoke last signal
If the umpire makes an incorrect signal, they may revoke it. To do so, they cross their arms across their chest, then makes the corrected signal. A revocation may be made if the umpire discovers an incorrect application of the laws, such as, signalling "out" before realising that the other umpire signalled a no-ball. Also, an umpire may revoke if they accidentally signal a four though they intended to signal six.[17] With the implementation of the
New Ball
In matches lasting more than two days the captain usually has the option of taking another new ball after a set number of overs (usually 80) have taken place since a new ball was introduced (an innings always begins with a new ball). The umpire at the bowler's end signals to the scorers that a new ball has been taken by holding the ball above their head. The scorers note the time that the new ball has been taken.
If the ball is damaged to the extent that it gives either team a disadvantage, it is replaced with a used undamaged ball in similar condition. A similar-condition used ball is also used if the ball is ever lost in the course of play (for example, if a ball hit for six becomes irretrievable).
In 2007 the International Cricket Council (ICC) brought in a new law stipulating that, in ODIs, after 35 overs have been bowled the ball must be replaced with a clean used ball.[18] In 2011 this rule was changed so that a different ball is used at each end, thus each ball getting used for 25 overs. The balls used in ODIs are white and become discoloured very easily, especially on dusty or abrasive pitches, and thus the ball change is deemed necessary to ensure that the ball is easily visible.
Power Play
ICC introduced a system of Powerplays in limited-over cricket which restricts the number of fielders outside the 30-yard circle, among other things. When a Powerplay is beginning, the umpire moves their hand in circular fashion above their head.
- In ODI, the entire innings is played through three different Powerplays with looser restrictions as the innings progresses. The first Powerplay lasts for the first ten overs and restricts the fielding team to three fielders outside the 30-yard circle. The second Powerplay comprises the middle 30 overs (the 11th through 40th overs) and raises the limit to four fielders outside the circle. The third and final Powerplay lasts for the final ten overs (the 41st through 50th overs) and allows five fielders outside the circle.
- In Twenty20, a Powerplay is in effect for the first six overs of an innings, whereby only two fielders can be outside the fielding circle. For the rest of the innings, five fielders can be placed outside the circle.
Records
The Golden Bails Award is given by the
Most Test matches as an umpire:[23]
Umpire | Period | Matches |
---|---|---|
Aleem Dar | 2003– | 145 |
Steve Bucknor | 1989–2009 | 128 |
Rudi Koertzen | 1992–2010 | 108 |
|
The Silver Bails Award is given by the ICC to umpires who have stood in 200 One Day Internationals. Three umpires have reached this milestone: Aleem Dar, Rudi Koertzen and Billy Bowden.
Most ODI matches as an umpire:[24]
Umpire | Period | Matches |
---|---|---|
Aleem Dar | 2000– | 227 |
Rudi Koertzen | 1992–2010 | 209 |
Billy Bowden | 1995–2016 | 200 |
|
The Bronze Bails Award is given by the ICC to umpires who have stood in 100 One Day Internationals.[19][20][25] Seventeen umpires have reached this milestone.
Most T20I matches as an umpire:[26]
Umpire | Period | Matches |
---|---|---|
Ahsan Raza | 2010– | 74 |
Aleem Dar | 2009– | 70 |
Allahudien Paleker | 2018– | 55 |
|
Etymology
The predecessor of umpire came from the Old French nonper (from non, "not" and per, "equal"), meaning "one who is requested to act as arbiter of a dispute between two people", or that the arbiter is not paired with anyone in the dispute.
In
The word was applied to the officials of many sports, including association football (where it has been superseded by referee) and baseball (which still uses it).
See also
- Elite Panel of ICC Umpires
- List of Test umpires
- List of One Day International cricket umpires
- List of Twenty20 International cricket umpires
- Association of Cricket Officials
- ICC Associates and Affiliates Umpire Panel
- Glossary of cricket terms
- Umpire (baseball)
Bibliography
- For a comprehensive guide to the laws and their interpretation, and for advice on umpires' field-craft and general technique: Tom Smith's Cricket Umpiring and Scoring (ISBN 978-0-297-86641-1
- Surya Prakash Chaturvedi, Cricket Umpires, National Book Trust, 2012
References
- ^ "Match officials". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- ^ "Cricket Committee recommends prohibition of saliva to shine the ball". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ^ ECB ACO Archived 16 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine Education – find a course
- ^ "The umpire's signals". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "The laws of cricket, Law 3 (see 3.14.a.ii)". Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/rules/umpire_signals/newsid_3810000/3810053.stm BBC Sport
- ^ "Dead ball". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "ICC Standard One Day International Match Playing Conditions (see Appendix 7 3.4.b)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ "Four". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "Six". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "Bye". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "Leg bye". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "One short". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "TV replay". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "Penalty runs". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "Last hour". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "Cancel call". 29 June 2004. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ "ODI rule modifications could get early start". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Golden bails for Bucknor". Rediff.com. 22 February 2005. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
- ^ a b "Bucknor set to be first umpire to 100 Tests". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 February 2005. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
- Cricinfo. 22 February 2005. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- West Indies Cricket Board. 10 July 2004. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- ^ "Emirates Elite Panel Umpires Honoured with Commemorative Awards". www.windiescricket.com. 10 July 2004. Archived from the original on 8 February 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
- Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 January 2021.