Central Texas Cricket League
Umpiring Clinic
(January 2004)
Tushar I. Oza
mailto:
[email protected]
http://www.centraltxcricket.org
CTCL Umpiring Clinic
Who is an Umpire?
• From the Rules of the game, an Umpire is an official:
– who makes all decisions on the field and
– whose word is absolutely final
– whose responsibility it is, to be fair and friendly to
both teams
– who is not a School master. He is just a facilitator.
– arguing with an umpire's decision is simply not
tolerated
mailto:
[email protected]
http://www.centraltxcricket.org
CTCL Umpiring Clinic
Umpiring – Basics
– A good umpire has:
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Good vision/hearing capabilities
A keen sense of judgment
A love for the game
The ability to remain calm under trying circumstance
The ability to conduct the game under trying circumstances
Takes charge when the need arises
– A good umpire must:
• Know the rules of the game
• Be approachable, Friendly
• Should earn the confidence of teams
– By being consistent
– By being courteous
– By being timely
– Things an Umpire must carry:
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Ball counter (pebbles?)
Watch (Digital?)
Pen/Pencil
Paper/Note book
The laws of the game
CTCL rule book and roster
Wear proper attire (preferrably dark clothes. No Hawaiian dress!) 
mailto:
[email protected]
http://www.centraltxcricket.org
CTCL Umpiring Clinic
Umpiring – Basics
– Things an Umpire must remember
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The rules of the game
That the Umpiring Committee is 100% behind him
Timely reporting of discrepancies etc.
Signing of match reports at the end of the game
When in doubt, contact Umpiring committee
– Duties of an umpire
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Be on the ground at least 30 mins prior to start
Check the ground
Check the boundaries
Check wicket alignment
Check the matting for loose nails (if applicable)
Obtain the player’s list (from both captains)
Conduct the toss
Conduct the game
Keep a running tally of overs bowled/time taken
Make sure the game begins and ends on TIME!
Nominate the MoM (need not be from the winning team)
mailto:
[email protected]
http://www.centraltxcricket.org
CTCL Umpiring Clinic
The basic umpiring signals:
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CTCL Umpiring Clinic
– No ball
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bowling without informing the side and arm
bowler overstepping the popping crease
bowler’s back foot not within/touching the Return crease
A ball bouncing over the batsman In his upright stance (not normal stance)
A ball above batsman’s shoulder height in his upright stance for a slow bowler (not
above the waist)
• Chucking/Throwing by a bowler
– Either umpire can make the call
– Out from a no ball
• Hit the ball twice (Striker only)
• Run out (either batsman)
• Handled the ball (Striker only)
• Obstructing the field (either batsman)
– Runs from a no ball
• One run penalty for a no ball
• That ball does not count
• Any runs scored off a no ball will be added to the no ball
– Ex1: 4 byes off a no ball: 5 no balls against the bowler
– Ex2: 4 runs hit by striker off no ball: 4 runs to the striker and one no ball penalty to
the bowler (total of 5)
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http://www.centraltxcricket.org
[email protected]
CTCL Umpiring Clinic
Teaser!!!
Identify No-Balls from the following pictures
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CTCL Umpiring Clinic
• Wide ball
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The ball is out of reach of the striker
Judge by where the ball is landing and deviation
DO NOT judge by where the keeper is collecting the ball
If the batsman moves away from a ball, it is not a wide
If the ball touches the bat or person of the striker, it is not a wide ball
Runs from a wide ball
• One run penalty for wide ball
• The ball does not count
• Any runs off a wide ball are extra
– Ex: Four byes off a wide ball – total of 5 wides
– Signal: Wide ball followed by Bye followed by four
Out from a wide ball
• Handled the ball
• Hit Wicket
• Obstructing the field
• Run out
• Stumped
Teaser!!!
• Can a batsman be out “Hit Wicket” off a no ball?
mailto:
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CTCL Umpiring Clinic
• Dead ball
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When the batsmen and the fielders cease to regard the ball as in play
If the ball is trapped in batsman’s gear
If the ball is lodged in umpire’s clothing
If the ball is lodged in the helmet of a fielder
When lost ball is called
When an Over is called
No runs off a dead ball
Teaser!!!
• A fielder hits the square leg umpire while throwing the ball back to WK.
• Is it a dead ball?
mailto:
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CTCL Umpiring Clinic
• LBW
– Look at the picture:
– 1. Not Out – The point of impact
is outside the line of off-stump
– 2. Out – The ball would have hit
the stumps
– 3. Out – The ball would have hit
the stumps
– 4. Out – The ball pitched between
Wkt to Wkt
– 5. Teaser!!! Is it Out?? Why?
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CTCL Umpiring Clinic
• LBW (contd)
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Four things to remember for LBW:
1. Look for Point of impact
2. Look for the line of the ball
3. Judge the bounce of the ball
4. Ask yourself: “Would it be a hit or a miss?”
If HIT, batsman is OUT.
Golden rules of LBW:
– Ball pitching outside off-stump
• Batsman not out, if and only if he is offering a stroke. i.e. he is trying to play
the ball
– Ball pitching outside Leg-stump
• Batsman is NOT OUT – irrespective of the type of bowler
mailto:
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CTCL Umpiring Clinic
• LBW (contd)
– Look at the picture:
– A: Not Out: Lifting ball. Would have
passed over the stumps
– B: Out: Dropping Ball. Would have
hit the stumps.
– C: Teaser!!!!
• Is the batsman out?
• Why?
– When in doubt, the Benefit of
doubt goes to batsman
mailto:
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CTCL Umpiring Clinic
• Other issues
– Umpires should not sign the scorebooks, match reports if both
score books do not match.
– No need for signing the books at intervals. But verification is a
must.
– If the umpire miscounts an over, the over as counted by the
umpire stands.
– Umpires should not try to make up in the next over.
– Only five minutes interval (water break) during innings.
– Make sure the umpires officiating your game are well cared for:
Food, Soda, and other refreshments.
– Treat the umpires of your club’s game, the way you like to be
treated.
– Visit http://www.centraltxcricket.org for more on rules and code of
conduct for the CTCL leagues
mailto:
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http://www.centraltxcricket.org
LBW
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Ball pitches at 1, hits imaginary pad following line indicated: not
out. Ball pitching outside line of stumps, hits pads outside line of
stumps, batsman playing a shot. WARNING - if no shot played
and umpire thinks ball would have cut back enough to hit stumps
then you can be given out!
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Ball pitches at 2, hits imaginary pad following line indicated: out.
Only saving grace would be umpire deciding ball would rise over
stumps, or batsmen getting a big stride down the wicket to
introduce doubt as to possible path of the ball.
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Ball pitches at 3, hits imaginary pad following line indicated: out.
Only saving grace would be umpire deciding ball would rise over
stumps. Big stride unlikely to save you from a straight ball!
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Ball pitches at 4, hits imaginary pad following line indicated: out.
Only saving grace would be umpire deciding ball would rise over
stumps, or was cutting back enough to miss the off stump.
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Ball pitches at 5, hits imaginary pad following line indicated: not
out. Batsman cannot be given out LBW if ball pitches outside leg
stump.
mailto:
[email protected]
http://www.centraltxcricket.org
mailto:
[email protected]
http://www.centraltxcricket.org
mailto:
[email protected]
http://www.centraltxcricket.org
mailto:
[email protected]
http://www.centraltxcricket.org