THE LAWS OF CRICKET 2017 CODE (2^nd edition – 2019)

© Marylebone Cricket Club

LAW 2        THE UMPIRES

2.1 Appointment and attendance

Before the match, two umpires shall be appointed, one for each end, to control the match as required by the Laws, with absolute impartiality. The umpires shall be present on the  ground and report to the Executive of the ground at least 45 minutes before the scheduled start of each day’s play.

2.2 Change of umpire

An umpire shall not be changed during the match, other than in exceptional circumstances, unless he/she is injured or ill. If there has to be a change of umpire, the replacement shall act only as the striker’s end umpire unless the captains agree that the replacement should take full responsibility as an umpire.

2.3 Consultation with captains

Before the toss the umpires shall

• 2.3.1 meet with the captains; the umpires shall determine
  • 2.3.1.1 the balls to be used during the match. See Law 4 (The ball).
  • 2.3.1.2 the hours of play and the times and durations of any agreed intervals. In a match of one day’s duration, no specific time need be agreed for the tea interval. It may be agreed instead to take this interval between innings. See Law 11 (Intervals).
  • 2.3.1.3 which clock or watch and back-up time piece is to be used during the match
  • 2.3.1.4 the boundary of the field of play and allowances for boundaries, including whether any obstacle within the field of play is to be regarded as a boundary. See Law 19 (Boundaries).
  • 2.3.1.5 the use of covers. See Law 10 (Covering the pitch).
  • 2.3.1.6 any special conditions of play affecting the conduct of the match
• 2.3.2 inform the scorers of agreements in 2.3.1.2, 2.3.1.3, 2.3.1.4 and 2.3.1.6.

2.4 The wickets, creases and boundaries

Before the toss and during the match, the umpires shall satisfy themselves that

• 2.4.1 the wickets are properly pitched. See Law 8 (The wickets)
• 2.4.2 the creases are correctly marked. See Law 7 (The creases).
• 2.4.3 the boundary of the field of play complies with the requirements of Laws 19.1 (Determining the boundary of the field of play), 19.2 (Identifying and marking the boundary) and 19.3 (Restoring the boundary).

2.5 Conduct of the match, implements and equipment

Before the toss and during the match, the umpires shall satisfy themselves that

• 2.5.1 the conduct of the match is strictly in accordance with the Laws
• 2.5.2 the implements used in the match conform to the following:
  • 2.5.2.1 Law 4 (The ball).
  • 2.5.2.2 externally visible requirements of Law 5 (The bat) and Appendix B
  • 2.5.2.3 either Laws 8.2 (Size of stumps) and 8.3 (The bails) or, if applicable, Law 8.4 (Junior cricket).
• 2.5.3 no player uses  equipment  other  than that      See Appendix A.2.    Note particularly therein the interpretation of ‘protective helmet’.
• 2.5.4 the wicket-keeper’s gloves comply with the requirements of Law 27.2 (Gloves).

2.6 Fair and unfair play

The umpires shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play.

2.7 Fitness for play

• 2.7.1 It is solely for the umpires together to decide whether either conditions of ground, weather or light or exceptional circumstances mean that it would be dangerous or unreasonable for play to take
  Conditions shall not be regarded as either dangerous or unreasonable merely because they are not ideal.
  The fact that the grass and the ball are wet does not warrant the ground conditions being regarded as unreasonable or dangerous.
• 2.7.2 Conditions shall be regarded as dangerous if there is actual and foreseeable risk to the safety of any player or umpire
• 2.7.3 Conditions shall be regarded as unreasonable if, although posing no risk to safety, it would not be sensible for play to proceed
• 2.7.4 If the umpires consider the ground is so wet or slippery as to deprive the bowler of a reasonable foothold, the fielders of the power of free movement, or the batsmen of the ability to play their strokes or to run between the wickets, then these conditions shall be regarded as so bad that it would be dangerous and unreasonable for play to take place

 

2.8 Suspension of play in dangerous or unreasonable circumstances

• 2.8.1 All references to ground include the pitch. See Law 6.1 (Area of pitch).
• 2.8.2 The Umpires shall immediately suspend play, or not allow play to start or to recommence, if either umpire considers that the conditions of ground, weather or light, or any other circumstances are either dangerous or unreasonable
• 2.8.3 When there is a suspension of play it is the responsibility of the umpires to monitor conditions. They shall make inspections as often as appropriate, unaccompanied by any players or officials. Immediately the umpires together agree that the conditions are no longer dangerous or unreasonable they shall call upon the players to resume play.

 

2.9 Position of umpires

The umpires shall stand where they can best see any act upon which their decision may be required.

Subject to this over-riding consideration, the bowler’s end umpire shall stand in a position so as not to interfere with either the bowler’s run-up or the striker’s view.

The striker’s end umpire may elect to stand on the off side instead of the on side of the pitch, provided he/she informs the captain of the fielding side, the striker and the other umpire.

 

2.10 Umpires changing ends

The umpires shall change ends after each side has had one completed innings. See Law 13.3 (Completed innings).

 

2.11 Disagreement and dispute

Where there is disagreement or dispute about any matter, the umpires together shall make the final decision. See also Law 31.6 (Consultation by umpires).

 

2.12 Umpire’s decision

An umpire may alter any decision provided that such alteration is made promptly. This apart, an umpire’s decision, once made, is final.

 

2.13 Signals

• 2.13.1 The following code of signals shall be used by umpires:
  • 2.13.1.1 Signals made while the ball is in play

Dead ball                – by crossing and re-crossing the wrists below the waist.
No ball                    – by extending one arm horizontally.
Out                          – by raising an index finger above the head. (If not out, the umpire shall call Not out.)
Wide                       – by extending both arms horizontally.

• • 2.13.1.2 When the ball is dead, the bowler’s end umpire shall repeat the signals in 13.1.1, with the exception of the signal for Out, to the scorers.
  • 2.13.1.3 The signals listed below shall be made to the scorers only when the ball is dead.

Boundary 4             – by waving an arm from side to side finishing with the arm across the chest.
Boundary 6             – by raising both arms above the head.
Bye                            – by raising an open hand above the head.
Commencement    – by pointing to a raised wrist with the other hand
of last hour
Five Penalty            – by repeated tapping of one shoulder with the opposite hand
runs awarded to
the batting side
Five Penalty             – by placing one hand on the opposite shoulder
runs awarded to
the fielding side
Leg bye                     – by touching a raised knee with the hand.
New ball                    – by holding the ball above the head.
Revoke                      – by touching both shoulders, each with
last signal                    the opposite hand.
Short run                  – by bending one arm upwards and touching the nearer shoulder with the tips of the fingers.

The following signals are for Levels 3 and 4 of the player conduct offences. Each signal has two parts, both of which should be acknowledged separately by the scorers.

Level 3 conduct – Part 1 – by putting one arm out to the side of the body and repeatedly raising it and lowering it.
Part 2 – by raising both hands, all fingers spread, to shoulder height, palms facing towards the scorers.
Level 4 conduct – Part 1 – by putting one arm out to the side of the body and repeatedly raising it and lowering it.
Part 2 – by raising an index finger, held at shoulder height, to the side of the body

• • 2.13.1.4 All the signals in 13.1.3 are to be made by the bowler’s end umpire except that for Short run, which is to be signalled by the umpire at the end where short running occurs. However, the bowler’s end umpire shall be responsible both for the final signal of Short run to the scorers and, if more than one run is short, for informing them as to the number of runs to be recorded.
• 2.13.2 The umpire shall wait until each signal to the scorers has been separately acknowledged by a scorer before allowing play to proceed
  If several signals are to be used, they should be given in the order that the events occurred.
  

 

2.14 Informing the umpires

Throughout the Laws, wherever the umpires are to receive information from captains or other players, it will be sufficient for one umpire to be so informed and for him/her to inform the other umpire.

 

2.15 Correctness of scores

Consultation between umpires and scorers on doubtful points is essential. The umpires shall, throughout the match, satisfy themselves as to the correctness of the number of runs scored, the wickets that have fallen and, where appropriate, the number of overs bowled. They shall agree these with the scorers at least at every interval, other than a drinks interval, and at the conclusion of the match. See Laws 3.2 (Correctness of scores), 16.8 (Correctness of result) and 16.10 (Result not to be changed).