Law 3.               THE UMPIRES
NEW SIGNALS

DUTIES

1. Two umpires are to be appointed before the match, one for each end-not one for each side.

2. They are required to control the game with complete impartiality.

3. An umpire shall not be changed unless either become ill or for other exceptional circumstances.

4. If it is necessary for an umpire to be changed, the replacement will stand at the strikers end only, unless both captains (team managers in junior cricket) agree that he should take full responsibility as an umpire.

5. It is important the umpires have full knowledge of the conditions under which the match is to be played before the toss is made. They must agree with the captains (team managers in junior cricket) (a) which balls are to used (b) durations of any intervals (c) what constitutes the boundary of the field of play and the boundary allowances (d) any special conditions which apply.

6. The umpires should agree between themselves whether any obstacle within the field of play will be regarded as a boundary.

7. The scorers must be informed the times and duration of intervals between innings, the boundary allowances and any special conditions which apply.

8. Before the toss and throughout the match the umpires shall satisfy themselves (a) that the wickets are correctly pitched (b) the creases are correctly marked (c) the boundary markings comply with Cricket Law (d) the game is conducted strictly in accordance with the Laws (e) the implements used conform with the requirements of the Laws (f) any equipment used is permitted by the Laws (g) the Wicket -keepers gloves comply with the requirements laid down

9. The umpires are the sole judges as to whether any action constitutes fair or unfair play.

10. The umpires are the final judges of the fitness of the ground, weather and light for play.

11. If the umpires consider the ground and/or weather conditions are unsuitable for play to start or continue they shall take into account the wishes of captains (team managers in junior cricket). If they wish play to commence or to continue their wishes shall be met, providing the umpires do not consider the conditions to be unreasonable or dangerous.

12. After agreeing to play in unsuitable conditions either captain (team manager) may appeal against the conditions. The umpires shall uphold the appeal if in their opinion the conditions are the same or have deteriorated since they were agreed as unsuitable.

13. If the umpires consider the light to be unsuitable for plat to start or continue they shall take into account the wishes of the captain (team manager) of the batting side only.

14. If the batting side wish to commence or continue in unsuitable light, the umpires shall allow play to continue or start. The batsmen at the wicket (team manager) may appeal against the light which will only be upheld if , in the opinion of the umpires the light is the same or has deteriorated when considered unsuitable.

15. If in the opinion of the umpires there is a foreseeable risk of injury if play starts or continues, the umpires must immediately suspend  or not allow play to start. This decision is one for the umpires alone to make.

16. Play will resume after the interval between innings unless both umpires agree that the conditions have become unreasonable or dangerous

17. The umpires have discretion to suspend play if they consider exceptional circumstances warrant it

18. The umpires should stand where they can best see any act upon which they may be required to make a decision. Subject to this over-riding consideration, the umpire at the bowlers end should not stand where he might interfere with the bowlers run-up or the strikers view.

19. The umpire at the strikers end may elect to stand on the offside; he must inform the captain of the fielding side, the striker and his colleague of his intention to do so.

20. The Laws require the umpires to consult with each other whenever necessary

21. The umpire should obtain a separate acknowledgement for each signal, from the scorers, before allowing play to proceed.

The umpires must satisfy themselves as to the correctness of (a) the number of runs scored (b) the number of wickets that have fallen (c) the number of overs bowled. This must be done at the interval between innings and at the end of the match.

FOR SPECIAL NOTING
In Junior matches it is not considered appropriate for the captains to be given the option of playing on in “unsuitable” conditions. This is a matter for Adults to decide following consideration and discussion between Team Managers or in his/her absence left entirely at the umpire’s discretion.

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