No Official Umpire Guide Introduction: This booklet is intended as a guide to umpiring in the lower grades where an “official” Umpire is not available. It does not cover the Laws of cricket in any detail, but rather is intended to give an introduction to the basic techniques of what to do; and what not to do on a cricket field from an Umpire’s perspective. The more frequent “unusual incidents” where you might wonder - what happens now? – are described. Ideally, all those interested in umpiring cricket should attend a course on the Laws of Cricket which are run by the local Umpire’s Association, from time to time. Additionally, the “NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association” runs these courses twice a year or you can check out their website for the Laws of Cricket, quizzes and on-line tutorials. While the laws and local regulations of the competition should be enforced with complete impartiality, it is just as important to provide an atmosphere of enjoyment for all participants of the game. Where no Umpire is available, all terms of Umpire in the Laws should be interpreted as Captains. This means that where joint decisions are to be made, both Captains will make those decisions. The result of the decision will only be upheld if both Captains agree. It is already within the Laws that “when play is in progress, the batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their captain”. Note that the Lower Clarence Cricket Association plays its One Innings matches under the MCC code of the Laws of Cricket. This is similar to Test match cricket and should not be confused with a Limited Overs One Day match, similar to our 6-A-Side competition. Any feedback or questions please direct them to me. Thanks Rob Pye November 2010 1 Chapter 1: Terminology and Definitions The following are taken from the 2010 Edition of the laws of Cricket (2000 Code 4th Edition). During the match is at any time after the toss until the conclusion of the match, whether play is in progress or not. Conduct of the game includes any action relevant to the match at any time on any day of the match. Fielding positions: Over the wicket/round the wicket – If, as the bowler runs up between the wicket and the return crease, the wicket is on the same side as his bowling arm, he is bowling over the wicket. If the return crease is on the same side as his bowling arm, he is bowling round the wicket. Delivery swing is the motion of the bowler’s arm during which he normally releases the ball for a delivery. Delivery stride is the stride during which the delivery swing is made, whether the ball is released or not. It starts when the bowler’s back foot lands for that stride and ends when the front foot lands in the same stride. The field of play is the area contained within the boundary edge. Fielder is one of the 11 or fewer players who together compose the fielding side. This definition includes not only both the bowler and the wicket-keeper but also nominated players who are legitimately on the field of play, together with players legitimately acting as substitutes for absent nominated players. It excludes any nominated player who is absent from the field of play, or who has been absent from the field of play and who has not yet obtained the umpire’s permission to return. A player going briefly outside the boundary in the course of discharging his duties as a fielder is not absent from the field of play nor, for the purposes of Law 2.5 (Fielder absent or leaving the field), is he to be regarded as having left the field of play. The bat – the following are to be considered as part of the bat. – the whole of the bat itself. – the whole of a glove (or gloves) worn on the hand (or hands) holding the bat. – the hand (or hands) holding the bat, if the batsman is not wearing a glove on that hand or on those hands. Popping Crease – where the batsman pops his bat. Where the bowler must have some part of his front foot behind that line. Considered to be unlimited in length. Return Crease – the line coming at 90o back from the Popping Crease. Considered to be unlimited in length. Bowling Crease – the line in which the stumps are placed. Intersects with the Return Crease. 2 Chapter 2: Match Day. It is the responsibility of umpires to ensure that they are familiar with their environment. That is, where the actual boundaries are, is there anything in front of the boundary (covers, trees), and that the stumps are set up properly. Additionally the umpires should know where the scorers are and that they are to acknowledge all your signals. Similarly, the umpires should know when drinks are to be taken and what rules (MCC & local) are to apply or what the captain’s have agreed to if applicable. e.g. a tractor on the field near boundary and that it will be 4 runs if struck on the bounce and 6 runs if hit on the full etc. What to take onto the ground: The right relaxed attitude with a friendly disposition. Everyone is here to enjoy the game. A counter, it should allow counting of not only balls in the over but also the overs as well. Optional: A notebook to write the overs bowled by individuals, and Bowling marker. Ready to Play: Ensure there are no more than 11 members of fielding side on the field. When at the bowlers end, find out if the bowler if right or left arm and whether bowling “over” or “around” the wicket. See definitions above. Give striker their guard. Without getting technical, giving “guard” is based on you standing behind the stumps and providing the striker with the position of their bat – Off stump, Centre, Leg stump, Middle & Leg etc from your position. Using voice and hand signals tell the batsman to move their bat towards or away from him until the stump is covered e.g. Centre thanks Ump. Means Centre stump will be covered by the bat. Let the batsman know they have their guard – “That’s Middle” or “You’ve got Middle and Leg”. Position yourself far enough back from the stumps so that you can still check for foot no ball & see the bowlers arm out of the corner of your eye. Most umpires as a start point position themselves with the top of the bails lining up with the popping crease. Sometimes it may be necessary to move back or forward depending on the bowlers delivery stride. The closer they bowl to the stumps the further you may need to get back so you don’t bet collected in the follow through. Check scorers are ready. I normally wave and call out. Check with square leg, fielding captain and striker. Turn to bowler to ensure he’s ready and then turn back and say to no one in particular “Let’s play”. 3 Chapter 3: Taking it one ball at a time. It is important to remember that you only worry about the ball that is about to be bowled, not any of the previous ones nor, should you try to forecast what is about to happen. Here are some suggestions around the routines or habits to adopt. When at the Bowler’s End. As the bowler approaches his delivery stride, take a breath and be prepared to call “No Ball” if required. Any time you make a call. “No Ball”, “Short Run”, “Wide” etc, it should be loud enough for your fellow umpire and all players to hear. As the bowler delivers the ball, try not to move your head, instead flick your eyes up, from checking for a front foot no ball, and follow the ball as it travels towards the batsman and all the way onto the wicketkeeper or into the field. Do this even if you have called “No Ball” or “Wide” as the ball is not dead and there is still plenty of action that can occur – run outs, stumpings etc. Once the ball is dead, then repeat your call and signals to the scorers. If the ball is played into the field, it may be necessary to move to a position which allows you to better judge further play, such as a run out. The easy rule of thumb is to move to the same side to which the ball has been played. Using this method allows you to watch the ball as it comes into contact with a fielder and then turning in time to watch the action at your stumps. The exception to this rule, which is going to the opposite side for close in fielding as per the diagram below. The shaded area being where the ball has been played. Striker If the ball is played into a shaded triangle the bowler’s end umpire would move to the opposite side. As you move away from the stumps keep an eye on the ball. It will be necessary to glance towards the approaching batsman to ensure you don’t interfere with him making his ground and thus allowing you to adjudge a run out if the bat or batsman has not grounded behind the crease – on the line is out. If you believe you may actually impede play by moving to the same side as the ball, then move to what you believe will be the best possible position for you to the action.