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An umpire in cricket (from the Old French Nompere meaning not equal, i.e. not a member of one of the teams, impartial) is a person who has the authority to make decisions 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 legal manner, the umpire also keeps a record of the deliveries and announces the completion of an over.
Traditionally, cricket matches have two umpires on the field, one standing at the end opposite the striking batsman's end (behind the stumps) and one at square leg. However, in the modern game, there may be more than two umpires; for example Test Matches have four: two on-field umpires, a Third Umpire who has access to video replays, and a Fourth who looks after the match balls, takes out the drinks for the on-field umpires, and also arranges travel and meals for all of the umpires.
Professional matches also have a match referee, who complements the role of the umpires. The match referee makes no decisions relevant to the outcome of the game, but instead enforces the ICC Cricket Code of Conduct, ensuring the game is played in a reputable manner.
The ICC now has two panels of umpires: namely the 8-man Elite Panel (two of which are, in theory, appointed to each Test Match) and a larger 20-man International Panel.
Minor cricket matches will also normally have trained umpires. The Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers conducts umpire training in the UK, and three exams and two years practical on-field umpiring have to be completed before an individual can become a Qualified Member. Cricket Australia has introduced a two-tier accreditation scheme and eventually all umpires will be required to achieve the appropriate level of accreditation. The ages of umpires can vary enormously as some are former players, while others enter the cricketing world as umpires. Physical disability need not necessarily be a barrier - in Victoria a 19 year old with cerebral palsy has achieved the national Level 2 accreditation, is umpiring in a country competition, has umpired a statewide carnival, and has been recognised for his achievement by Cricket Victoria.
Positions
When a ball is being bowled, one umpire (the bowler's end umpire) stands behind the stumps at the non-striker's end (that is, the end from which the ball is being bowled), which gives him a view straight down the pitch. The other (the striker's end umpire) takes the position that he feels gives him the best view of the play. Through long tradition, this is usually square leg - in line with the stumps and a few yards to the batsman's leg side - hence he is sometimes known as the square leg umpire. However, if a fielder takes up position at square leg or somewhere so as to block his view, 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, then he must inform both the batsmen, the captain of the fielding team, and his colleague .
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 bowlers 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 he mainly indicates using arm movements. Some decisions must be instantaneous, whereas for others he may pause to think or discuss it with the square leg umpire - especially if the latter may have had a better view.
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 appealed to by the fielding side, though a batsman may walk if he knows himself to be out. This is nowadays rare, especially in Tests and first-class matches for contentious decisions, however it is the norm for a batsman to walk when he is out bowled. If the fielding side believes a batsman is out, the fielding side must appeal, by asking "How's that?" or "How was he?", (or by any other means that either umpire deems as a method of appealing.) The umpire's response is either to raise his index finger above his head to indicate that the man is out, or to clearly say "not out", which is usually accompanied with a shake of the head. (See BBC Sport).No-ball
Either umpire may call, and signal, No Ball, for a ball which is illegally delivered (bowled), although each umpire has unique jurisdictions. The most usual causes for No Balls are foot faults or a ball passing above a batsmen's head, each of these being under the bowler's end umpire's jurisdiction. The square-leg umpire will rarely have to call a No Ball, as his jurisdiction is limited to infringements which very rarely occur. 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. BBC Sport. The ball doesn't count in the over, and severely reduces the ways in which a batsmen may be out (from 11 to 5), with the most common forms of dismissal all being removed, except for Run Out.Wide
A Wide Ball is the term used to describe an illegal delivery in cricket, which is illegal due to it being "wide of the striker where he is standing and would also have passed wide of him standing in a normal guard position." (Law 25) A wide signalled by extending both arms out horizontally and is accompanied by a call of Wide Ball. It does not count in the over, and again reduces the way in which a batsmen can be out (from 11 to 6). If a delivery satisfies the criteria for both a No Ball and a Wide, the call and penalty of No Ball will take precedence, and so the delivery will be regarded as a No Ball, despite the fact that it may meet all criteria for a Wide Ball.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 his wrists below his waist with the call Dead Ball, if he is required to do so under certain Laws, and also may do it if he thinks it is necessary to inform the players. See BBC Sport.Signals to scorers
It is important that the scorers note down the play accurately and therefore the appropriate signals will be made by the umpire when the ball is dead. In addition to the following, the umpire repeats signals of dead ball, wide, and no-ball to the scorers.Four
If a batsman scores four by hitting the ball across the boundary (not by actually running them), the umpire signals this by waving his arm back and forth in front of the chest. This signal varies a lot between umpires, from two short, restrained, waves finishing with the arm across the chest, to elaborate signals that resemble the conduction of an orchestra. See BBC Sport. Whichever way the umpire signals a four he must, by law, finish with his arm across the chest (so as to avoid confusion about whether a No Ball was delivered as well).Six
A six scored by hitting the ball over the boundary is signalled by the umpire raising both hands above his head, often in a celebratory manner. See BBC Sport. It must be emphasised that for a six to be scored the ball must come off the bat, so it is impossible to have six byes for a ball crossing the boundary (without there being overthrows).Bye
If runs are to be scored as byes, the umpire will hold up one open palm above the head. See BBC Sport.Leg bye
Leg byes are signalled by the umpire touching a raised knee. See BBC Sport.Short run
If one of the batsman turns to complete runs after the first without grounding his person or equipment behind the popping crease, then a short run is signalled by the umpire tapping his near shoulder with his 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. See BBC Sport. There is also a case of deliberate short running, where the umpire will disallow all runs, although this is a rather rare occurrence.Television replay
If the umpire is unsure of a "line decision," that is, a run out or stumped decision, or if the umpire is unsure that the ball is a four, six, or neither, he 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). The Third Umpire is not used except in international or important domestic matches. The signal to refer a matter is using both hands to mime a T.V. Screen by making a box shape. See BBC Sport.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 run are awarded to the fielding team, but if the umpire taps that shoulder, the penalties are awarded to the batting team. See BBC Sport.Last hour
In Test cricket and first class cricket, the last hour of the last day of play has special significance. Firstly, there is a minimum number of overs (20 in the Laws of Cricket, fifteen in Tests) that must be bowled in the last hour. The umpire signals the last hour by pointing to his wrist (and the watch on it), which is raised above his head. See BBC Sport.Revoke last signal
If the umpire makes an incorrect signal, he may revoke it. The cancellation is made if the umpire finds an error of application of the laws, such as, signalling "out" but then realizing that the other umpire signalled a no-ball. Also, an umpire may revoke if he accidentally signals a four though he intended to signal six. The signal, placing each palm on the opposite shoulder, is very rarely seen. See BBC Sport.New Ball
In matches lasting more than one day a captain has the option of a new ball after a minimum of 75 overs (or the length of time prescribed by any special playing conditions). The umpire at the bowler's end signals to the scorers that a new ball has been taken by holding the ball above his head. The scorers note the time that the new ball has been taken.See also
List of Test umpires
References and links
- Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers, who provide umpire training and qualifications around the world http://www.acus.org.uk
- To access a copy of the Laws of Cricket http://www.lords.org/laws-and-spirit/laws-of-cricket/
- For a comprehensive guide to the laws and their interpretation, and for advice on umpires' field-craft and general technique: Tom Smith's New Cricket Umpiring and Scoring. ISBN 0297847244
"Umpire (cricket)"