Ask the Laws Department XX: (The Umpires)

MCC, the Guardian of the Laws of cricket, discuss key issues in 'Ask the Laws Department' in conjunction with Wisden Cricketer. This edition discusses the umpires.

The men in white coats

The perception of many cricketers is that someone is qualified to umpire as long as he can count to six and can see and hear.

Simon Taufel is considered one of the best umpires Much maligned, seldom praised and, sadly, occasionally abused, the umpires have a difficult role to play in the game but, without them, the match cannot take place.

The Laws outline a number of duties that the umpires must perform before, during and after play. Law 3 states in detail many of these duties and should be read in full to understand everything that the job entails.

However, the main points that an umpire is obliged to perform, over and above the obvious ones of calling over, signalling to the scorers and answering appeals, include the following:

• Being at the ground at least 45 minutes before the start of play.
• Checking the boundaries for items such as over-hanging trees and finding out if there are any particular local rules or customs for the ground, such as obstacles within the boundary.
• Checking that the creases are correctly marked and that the wickets are the right size and are properly pitched.
• Meeting the captains to agree on the nominated players, the hours of play, the balls to be used, drinks intervals, the clock to be used for timing and to confirm any special regulations particular to that game.
• Ensuring that the bats, balls and wicket-keeping equipment conform to the Laws.
• Assessing the fitness of ground, weather and light.
• Keeping in contact with the other umpire and the scorers to ensure the score is correct.
• Being the sole judges of fair and unfair play and, where necessary, taking the appropriate measures prescribed under the Laws.
• Overseeing maintenance of the pitch, such as mowing, sweeping or rolling.
• Making calculations on the number of overs remaining after interruptions in play. Over-riding all of these duties is the need to be impartial and to have a thorough knowledge of the Laws.

However, there are also a number of unwritten steps that an umpire can take to improve his or her ability. The umpire should be smartly dressed as this will add to his air of authority and competence.

An umpire’s body language is vital and he must "sell his decisions".

Steve Bucknor was known as Slow Death An umpire who appears timid or unsure will find it harder to gain the trust of the players. This is not saying that decisions should be rushed to look decisive - Steve Bucknor was known as "Slow Death" for the time he took over his decisions and he was very highly respected.

The ICC has highlighted seven core disciplines of umpiring which are applicable to umpires at all levels.

These are Decision Making, Application of Laws and Playing Conditions, Fitness, Technique and Fieldcraft, Knowledge, Preparation and Teamwork.

There will always be a need for umpires and there are certainly many clubs and leagues desperate for people to don the white coats.

It does not matter whether you are young or old, or whether you have played the game to a particular standard.

The ECB Association of Cricket Officials runs training courses throughout the winter months and a pathway now exists that can quickly see the better umpires climb to strong levels of cricket.

Whether or not umpiring is for you, the final point to remember is that the umpire is human and is often a volunteer, providing the players the opportunity to play the game they love.

Mistakes are sometimes made but only he who has never dropped a catch should cast the first stone.

Ask the umpire - with MCC Laws sub-committee

"With regard to Ask the Umpire and the case of a batsman placing a hand on the bails to prevent a dribbling ball dislodging them, I am surprised the MCC Laws sub-committee believes Law 37 is explicit enough for the batsman to be given out Obstructing the Field.

"The Law, which covers other specific incidents, says generally: "Either batsman is out obstructing the field if he wilfully obstructs or distracts the opposing side by word or action.

"It is no more distracting to hold the bails than kick the ball away, which is allowed. What is he obstructing anyone from? And what defines the "field"?

MCC says

Obstructing the field is an action that attempts to make the fielding side’s situation, with regard to fielding the ball or securing a dismissal, less favourable than it would otherwise have been.

While making a second strike at a ball, with bat or person, to prevent it hitting the wicket comes within the definition of obstruction, it is time-honoured exception - the only exception in the Laws.

It is entirely specific about what is permitted and is hedged with restrictions.

It merely gives the striker a second chance to play the ball - a risky one, as he may be out by almost every other method of dismissal if he does not get it right.

Many consider this limited concession, to a virtually instinctive reaction, too generous. It should certainly not be extended to action that is not an attempt to strike the ball, and takes no risk, since the bails are certain not to come off.

This has to be regarded as an attempt to avoid dismissal by action that is illegal and should remain so. It is entirely right that a player indulging in such action should be out.