UMPIRES
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2008 SEASON - PRE-SEASON UMPIRES ISSUES
Introduction
1 Once again a new season is upon us. I take this opportunity to set out in this document issues of concern or importance to umpires that I wish to bring to the attention of all Club and team captains and the League.
2 Before any detail and as I did last year I urge captains and players to remember that player umpires (whatever their age) are giving their services freely (no-one gets any expenses if their appointment is outside of my official appointments list). Club umpires are often not experienced nor learned in the Laws of Cricket that govern our game (please note not rules), but they deserve the thanks of players and the respect of their office. Captains must bring this to the attention of their members and management at all levels.
3 Additionally, and this is very important, captains must ensure that anyone that they provide to stand in matches has at least an appropriate level of knowledge, awareness and fairness to do the job. This is extremely important with regard to the LBW Law. It is essential that all umpires at every level apply the LBW Law fairly. There is statistical evidence that the decision to give a batter out LBW is much rarer when appointed umpires are not standing. Captains must emphasise to non-appointed umpires that they must be fair and not fear any criticism for deciding to give a player (one of their own) out LBW. This also touches on the following paragraphs.
The Spirit of the Game
4 We all hear these days about the very high standards of discipline and behaviour that are expected of players at all levels. This is even more of a ‘live issue’ this year with the problems abounding in association football. My colleagues will simply not permit any comments, criticism or challenging of their decisions. This will apply on the pitch, after the match and in any form of published media.
5 Umpires are there to ensure fair play in a manner that does not adversely affect the enjoyment of matches by either the players or the umpires themselves. Umpires and the League naturally prefer the captains to handle any issues on the pitch, rather than having to get involved. Captains will, in fact, be held responsible for any issues getting out of hand or behaviour that is unacceptable in the opinion of umpires. High spirits, competitive behaviour, honest effort and friendly banter are part of the richness of the game. However, so are courtesy, pleasantness, respect and fair play. I ask all captains to be aware of the preamble to the laws of cricket. I can supply a copy on request.
Team Sheets
6 This is a very important liability issue for Panel appointed umpires. The England and Wales Cricket Board (the ECB) have advised umpires that we must have signed team sheets submitted to us before the match commences. It is the job of the captain (or his/her stand-in) to ensure that this is done in good time for discussion to take place (if necessary) about players on the sheets. Panel umpires will expect the co-operation of captains in making this happen each week. Copies of the forms are available on the website, 2007 version.
7 As I posted separately on the website last year the League has also suggested in the past that this practice should be standard in all League matches. Firstly, the exchange of team sheets offers an opportunity for both captains to review the ages of players on both sides playing in the match, being necessary because of the need to protect young players. Secondly, it offers both captains an opportunity to be very clear about exactly who is playing in the match should any player be late in arriving (see next section). The League again emphasises this as being good practice, and teams will then have the signed team sheet to rely upon in the event of any incident.
Players arriving after the start of the match
8 This is important and is again emphasised here. Captains may agree that players who arrive after the start of the match may participate in the match. Once agreed this is not alterable. Where a player arrives 15 minutes, or more, late for the start of a match, the same restrictions apply as when a player leaves the field during a session. He may not bowl for a period that equals the length of the period that he was absent from the field. Each period of absence is treated as separate, and periods are not added up. I believe that it is sensible to use the number of overs in our League for bowling restrictions, even though the Laws specify time.
9 There is no restriction in the Laws on any player batting at any time, nor are there any rules in our League covering this. Therefore, any player nominated on the agreed and signed team sheet may bat as soon as he is ready.
10 As an example, if a player enters the field of play in the 17th over when his side are fielding (whether they field first or second) that player may not bowl until a further 17 overs have been completed in that same innings and can therefore only bowl from over 35. Any player being ready to bat may bat at any time during his team’s innings without restriction.
11 This has proved a contentious issue in the recent past, and captains can see that the exchange of team sheets will prevent any arguments.
Unfair Play – Bowling Dangerously
12 As you may all know, Law 42 covers unfair play in all its types. While the League has decided that penalty runs will not be applied to our League (except for the ball hitting the helmet), the rest of Law 42 applies. This includes ‘Dangerous’ and Unfair Bowling, Law 42.6.
13 I have had to call no ball under 42.6(a) when fast short-pitched bowling was repetitive and dangerous, in my opinion. I then cautioned the bowler, advised my colleague, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen of the position. I then advised what I would do if there was any repeat. There was on that occasion no repeat. My colleagues have been instructed to enforce this Law rigidly.
14 The Law on this matter actually sets out the following.
42.6. Dangerous and unfair bowling
(a) Bowling of fast short pitched balls
(i) The bowling of fast short pitched balls is dangerous and unfair if the umpire at the bowler's end considers that by their repetition and taking into account their length, height and direction they are likely to inflict physical injury on the striker, irrespective of the protective equipment he may be wearing. The relative skill of the striker shall be taken into consideration.
(ii) Any delivery which, after pitching, passes or would have passed over head height of the striker standing upright at the crease, although not threatening physical injury, shall be included with bowling under (i) both when the umpire is considering whether the bowling of fast short pitched balls has become dangerous and unfair and after he has so decided. The umpire shall call and signal No ball for each such delivery.
(b) Bowling of high full pitched balls
(i) Any delivery, other than a slow paced one, which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease is to be deemed dangerous and unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker.
(ii) A slow delivery which passes or would have passed on the full above shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease is to be deemed dangerous and unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker.
15 I finish this section with an issue relating to 42.6(b) in the case of a delivery that passes above the waist of the batsman when bowled by a fast bowler or the shoulder if bowled by a slow bowler. These deliveries come under the terminology of ‘beamers’ or high full tosses. They are illegal whether accidental or deliberate. Umpires have no discretion with these deliveries, and they must take action. This action must be taken if we are all to avoid injuries.
16 For both fast short-pitched deliveries (should the umpire consider then repetitive and dangerous) and all high full pitched deliveries, on a first offence the bowler’s end umpire must call no ball, caution the bowler, advise their colleague, advise the fielding captain, advise the batsmen at the crease and advise the batting captain as soon as possible. On a second offence the same action must be taken as for the first offence. On a third offence the umpire must call no ball, instruct the captain to take the bowler off and complete the over with another bowler (with that part of the over to be completed counting as part of his twelve also). The umpire must then advise their colleague and the batsmen at the crease, advise the batting captain as soon as possible, report the issue to the executive of the fielding side as soon as possible and finally report the matter to the League. This process applies to our League with no exceptions, and applies to all such deliveries as set out above. Note that it is the decision of the bowler’s end umpire as to the height of the delivery, whether pitching or not pitching, and not the striker’s end (sometimes called the square leg) umpire.
17 In the case of a bowler bowling a deliberate high full pitched delivery the situation is different. If an umpire considers a delivery to have been so bowled intentionally then the umpire must call no ball, instruct the captain to take the bowler off and complete the over with another bowler (with that part of the over to be completed counting as part of the replacement bowler’s twelve). The umpire must then advise their colleague and the batsmen at the crease, advise the batting captain as soon as possible, report the issue to the executive of the fielding side as soon as possible and finally report the matter to the League. There must be no exceptions and this is a very serious offence. Note that it is the decision of the bowler’s end umpire as to the height of the delivery, and not the striker’s end (sometimes called the square leg) umpire.
Wide Ball
18 This has been a contentious issue since cricket began. Nevertheless, players continue to query calls of wide-ball. Players and captains must familiarise themselves with the Wide Ball Law, emphasised in the League’s Handbook. I ask captains again to remind players that if they move their position at the crease in an attempt to play the ball, thus bringing the ball into their reach, and then miss the ball, it is not a wide ball. Panel umpires will apply their knowledge of the law (and their interpretation) in each delivery as consistently as possible. I am sure that player-umpires will do the same. If a wide is not given then any players waving their arms about or making any comment or fuss is dissent. Dissent will be reported and as a disciplinary issue, the League treats it very seriously.
No Ball
19 Players are reminded that if the bowlers back foot touches the return crease in the delivery of a ball then this is a no ball. The back foot must land within and not touching the return crease.
Umpire Availability
20 Where matches are not covered by appointed umpires, I ask for the co-operation of captains in the Premier League in providing a square leg umpire if this proves necessary. Where umpires are appointed to Division One matches, these are formal League appointments. These umpires will be paid expenses at the rate of £20 for each umpire, to be paid between the two clubs. The League has approved this policy and there are to be no exceptions.
Final Comments
21 The umpires are all agreed, and as I have said before, we have the best position from which to watch a cricket match. We shall do our best to be as inconspicuous as our size permits, and to facilitate an excellent season for all. If anyone has any questions on the Laws of Cricket or any umpiring issue please contact me. My mobile phone will be switched on at all times except after the start of matches and if there are any contentious issues please call me, leave a message and I will return your call.
Alan Golding
League Umpires Appointments Panel Chairman.
07801 077383
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