GROUND, WEATHER and LIGHT GUIDANCE for UMPIRES (IN the RECREATIONAL GAME) Version 1 2016
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GROUND, WEATHER AND LIGHT GUIDANCE FOR UMPIRES (IN THE RECREATIONAL GAME) Version 1 2016 92018 ECB Ground Weather and Light.indd 1 15/03/2016 15:58 92018 ECB Ground Weather and Light.indd 2 15/03/2016 15:58 The aim of this Guidance is to assist umpires to decide, under the MCC Laws of Cricket, if play should be allowed to start, continue or resume, solely as a consequence of weather or weather-related conditions. Save where otherwise expressly noted, this Guidance does not address other situations when ground conditions may need to be assessed. The Guidance provides generic advice and umpires will be required to use their judgement based upon the weather and ground conditions they experience. 1.0 INTRODUCTION One of the greatest challenges for cricket umpires at all levels of the game is the management of ground, weather and light as set out in Laws 3.8, 3.9 and 7.2. These Laws require umpires to suspend play, or not to allow play to start or resume, when, in their opinion, the conditions are dangerous or unreasonable. Law 3.8(b) states that ‘Conditions to make that assessment. However, shall be regarded as dangerous if no Guidance can anticipate the full there is actual and foreseeable risk to range of conditions that umpires the safety of any player or umpire’. may face and the key test for all decisions is that quoted above from This is the standard that must be Law 3.8(b). applied to all decisions relating to the ground, weather and light. The Laws of Cricket (2000 Code 4th Edition – 2010) marked a 1.1 Purpose of this Guidance significant change in who carried the responsibility for all GW&L decisions This Guidance covers: 1) the factors in all matches played under the MCC that umpires take into account in Laws of Cricket. It was this Edition assessing if conditions of ground, that removed any player involvement weather and light caused by the in the decision making. It is now the weather (‘GW&L’) are dangerous or sole responsibility of the umpires to unreasonable and 2) the procedures decide together whether conditions that it is suggested umpires follow are fit for play. 1 92018 ECB Ground Weather and Light.indd 3 15/03/2016 15:58 2 92018 ECB Ground Weather and Light.indd 4 15/03/2016 15:58 1.2 Why the ECB ACO is providing 1.3 The major points new information The judgement makes clear that During the summer of 2015, a case umpires DO owe a duty of care to was brought unsuccessfully against the players to uphold and enforce the ECB ACO in an English Court. The the Laws of Cricket, the relevant claimant, a fielder, alleged that the playing conditions and the ECB umpires had breached the duty of Directives. For GW&L decisions, care owed to him in allowing play to this duty of care means the umpires start in conditions he alleged to be must not allow play to take place if dangerous and were the cause of an they conclude that the conditions injury he suffered while fielding. The are dangerous or unreasonable. This judgement reviewed and commented duty to look after the players’ safety upon the evidence, as to how and is not removed by club officials, or when the umpires had carried out the players themselves, saying that their inspections and the tests they they accept the risk. Duty of care had applied in deciding whether and means the umpires should carry out when play could commence. The a thorough inspection of the GW&L judge held that the umpires owed a conditions to ensure they are not duty of care to the players to enforce dangerous (ie there is no actual and the rules and Laws of Cricket. His foreseeable risk to the safety of any judgement went on to describe the player or umpire) or unreasonable factors to be considered in deciding (see 3.4 on page 9) in order to whether the conditions were determine whether play can take dangerous or unreasonable, as well place. as the procedures involved in making this decision. The judge endorsed Laws 3.8 and 3.9 require ‘the the central test set out in Law 3.8(b) umpires together’ to agree that and the factors set out in detail in conditions are, or are not, dangerous Law 3.9(d) of the 2000 Code (2003 or unreasonable and describe the edition). This Guidance draws upon consequences, in terms of allowing the lessons learnt from this case. or not allowing play. At the outset, it should be noted that In light of the recent case, play cases against umpires, and indeed should not start, resume or continue sports officials generally, are rare. unless BOTH umpires AGREE that Whilst it is prudent to take stock of conditions are neither dangerous the position and provide guidance nor unreasonable. The umpires in light of the recent case referred to should therefore between them immediately above (which was the identify any matter about which first time such a case has been brought they disagree, discuss it further and against ECB ACO), there should be no seek to come to an agreement. If an cause for undue alarm in the umpiring agreement cannot be reached that or wider cricketing community. The conditions are neither dangerous nor case also highlights the benefits of unreasonable then play should be having robust insurance cover in place suspended immediately, not allowed (which is of course available to umpires to start or not allowed to resume (as through the ECB ACO). appropriate). 3 92018 ECB Ground Weather and Light.indd 5 15/03/2016 15:58 2.0 PREPARATION 2.1 Introduction Keeping the players informed before a ‘situation’ exists will In considering their GW&L decisions, improve their reaction (and the umpires must not distance reaction of the spectators) if/ themselves from the support and when it does present itself. It is advice that will be available to them helpful if both umpires acquire at a given venue. For example, the and share as much knowledge benefits of a positive relationship with as possible while preparing for the groundsman could be invaluable any game, thus strengthening in planning restarts and taking their working relationship and account of local weather conditions. improving the effectiveness of their communication. GW&L decisions rely on umpires demonstrating awareness, strong Before the start of a match, it communication skills, teamwork would be useful for the umpires to and clear thinking – and applying consult an up-to-date local weather them effectively and consistently. forecast. The advances in mobile Preparation before the start of a technology and weather radar mean match will help to ensure that all doing so is now easy and readily aspects of their decision-making available. clearly identify dangerous or unreasonable conditions, without compromising safety, therefore optimising playing time. 4 92018 ECB Ground Weather and Light.indd 6 15/03/2016 15:58 2.2 Clubs with ground staff, covers etc 2.3 Clubs without ground staff and/ or covers etc If he is available, the groundsman will be a valuable ally. Forming Umpires in the recreational game a positive relationship with him will stand at grounds that range from on arrival at the ground will offer local-authority owned/prepared significant help if interruptions to playing fields, which often have no the game occur. Demonstrating additional facilities or support in the this working relationship to the event of inclement weather, to clubs players and club officials should that have most of what would be mean the potential for stronger expected at a county ground. relationships throughout the umpires’ appointment. As a guide, The clubs and players at the lower the following information should be levels of the game may be more gleaned from the groundsman: willing to play despite poor weather conditions. For many of them, • Local weather knowledge and the match is their day a week of the current forecast. recreational sport, something they 2.0 PREPARATION • The covering facilities available enjoy and do not want to give up for the match and the level of unless it is absolutely necessary. support available to put the However at all levels, players may covers on and to remove them. be keen to get the game underway • The drying characteristics of depending upon the importance of the venue and any equipment/ the match to their team. strategies available to assist, if necessary. The challenge facing the umpires • The difficulties in pitch remains the same. If either umpire preparation, eg the weather believes there is an actual and effect, time, and other areas foreseeable risk of injury to the of concern. players or umpires, then the • The mowing and rolling conditions are dangerous and play requirements for the match. should not be allowed. This information will assist the The preparation and planning umpires in discussing relevant mentioned above, albeit without a scenarios and making plans for groundsman or covers, still applies. eventualities that might arise. Such It is still just as helpful: 1) to know groundwork is never wasted: it will what is likely to happen; 2) to know make it easier to implement the what the umpires’ options might be; umpires’ plans at the appropriate 3) for the umpires to work closely time and, if shared promptly and together; and 4) to listen to relevant clearly with players/staff, should be comments of the captains and accepted by all involved. players. 5 92018 ECB Ground Weather and Light.indd 7 15/03/2016 15:58 3.0 ASSESSING GROUND CONDITIONS – FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Factors to be considered in assessing ground conditions This section of the Guidance deals with the factors to be considered In the recent case, the judge referred in assessing whether ground to and adopted the following part of conditions caused by the weather Law 3.9(d) of the 2000 Code (2nd (ie as opposed to bad light Edition 2003): or lightning, which are dealt with separately at the end of ‘The fact that the grass and the this Guidance) are dangerous ball are wet and slippery does not or unreasonable.