Pre Season Preparation

• Check own kit, preferably the night before to amke sure you have everything you need.

Arrive 45 minutes before start

• Vital to be on time if we are to carry out the pre-match duties properly. Even on grounds you know well there is still a need to check the area in case something untoward has happened since you last visit.

Report to home club and visitors if present

• Register your arrival at the ground. You may well be the first to arrive. If you are it sends out a clear message to the clubs when they arrive that someone should have been there to greet you.

Appearance

• Dress appropriately, be smart.
• We expect the players to turn out in whites. They, too, expect us to look the part.

Meet with colleague

• Inspect ground together
  • boundary (including overhanging trees), sightscreens, pitch, markings, stumps, obstacles
• Inform home team of anything that may need attention
• Change, if not already changed

Scorers

• Meet and check any points regarding local rules, signals etc

Meet with captains

• Team lists
  • imperative to get these, insist on receiving lists before the match begins
• Juniors
  • check names on list with captains, and ages
• Any local rules
  • such as boundaries, trees on field etc
• Toss
  • Must take place in the presence of an umpire, 15 minutes before scheduled start (unless weather intervenes). And the decision made immediately. Remember in the E Y Alliance the opposing captain has the right to claim the toss if opposition is not present.
• Drinks breaks
  • Agree timings of drinks breaks if needed
• Sawdust
  • Is sawdust available in case of rain?
• Covers
  • Are covers available? Will they be used?
• Balls
  • Are they the correct make? No longer has to be a new ball in the E Y Alliance

Match Routine

• Go out at least 5 minutes before scheduled start, certainly before players
  • Re-check alignment of stumps, etc
  • Remember that everyone is there to enjoy the game, including ourselves. Remember to smile occasionally.
  • Rapport with players – very important to build a relationship with players. Most you will already know well but there will be new ones who are unsure about you.
  • Captains are the important links but also the bowlers and the wicket keeper for the fielding side.
  • We need to be able to enjoy our game and to look as if we are enjoying it but there is a fine line to be drawn in talking to players. Just as some players are chatty or quiet so, too, we are individuals with our own characteristics and just like them we need to concentrate. The non striker may be able to relax while he is at the bowler’s end but we must not allow our attention to wander by engaging in conversation at the wrong time. Be polite and courteous by all means, have a touch of humour at the right time but don’t let it get in the way of concentrating on the job of umpiring. Whilst players will appreciate an approachable umpire, one who looks relaxed they must also recognise that we need to concentrate just as much, even more than they do – every ball.
  • Answering players’ questions is definitely a matter for yourself – depending on your approach to the game. In general it is not a good idea to explain decisions on the field of play but occasionally it may be necessary to clarify a matter or point. This is best done quietly.
  • Watch out for the players who are trying to distract you – there are those who will try to pick out aspects of your personality and work on it to their advantage or try to disrupt your concentration, point out to you that a bowler is over stepping or that a batsman is running down the track even when they are in no position to see for themselves.
  • Quiet words – can be very good but in general we need to be careful that we are not seen to be giving an advantage to any particular player or team. Answer questions in a reasonable manner. If you think something is wrong tell the player concerned before it gets to the point of being a problem that involves disciplinary action - most will appreciate it but some will not; e.g. If you want to warn bowler’s who are getting close to no-balling, you must do it for all.
• Positioning, especially for run outs at the bowler’s end
  • Get into position quickly
  • Don’t get in the way of the players
• Signals and calls – make sure that all calls and signals are clear and audible to every one on the field and the scorers. Make sure your colleague has heard calls of no-ball and wide so that he does not miscount. For leg byes turn round so that the scorers can see your signal clearly. Await acknowledgement of signals.
• Decisions – thoughtful not instantaneous
• Players do not appreciate instant decisions, even for the most obvious of decisions count to five before raising your finger.
  • LBW, Wide. Leg Byes
  • Consistency of decisions throughout game

Colleague

• Co-operation with colleague and scorers
• Most important to work as a team
  • Consult when appropriate. Striker’s end umpire is not just there to check number of balls in the over but to “observe all the action of play and be ready at all times to assist his colleague”.
  • One of our weak points may be that we do not consult enough – there are many times when we ought to consult and we should take the chance, we are not isolates, we do have the support of each other. catches, players over the boundary, players words
  • Remember to ask relevant questions. Did that catch carry? Was that ball above waist height? Was that fielder over the line from your position?
  • Consultation is not a sign of weakness and often gives the players more confidence in us.
• Unfair and dangerous bowling
  • Is always a case for action and consultation. Remember that all balls over head height are no-balls even though they represent no danger to the batsman – not wides as in Tests and ODIs. All balls above waist high are no balls except slow deliveries and if there is any doubt we can ask our colleague his view from square leg.
  • Remember the warning sequence and apply it.
• Light and poor weather
  • Golden rule has to be the safety of players and ourselves. If conditions become unfit then the game must be suspended or abandoned. Remember that if you have played on after offering the chance to go off conditions do not have to deteriorate any further .
• Penalty runs
  • None yet awarded but the time will come when they are. Be sure you know the reasons why you are giving penalty runs and the signals: batting is patting.
• Action
  • If you need to action do so firmly and fairly, dealing with the facts, talking to player, captain and colleague (not necessarily in that order) and explaining what has happened and why you are taking action.
  • If you take action it may well prevent problems later in the match or in future game
  • If you need to file a report do so. This will help the game, the Alliance, your colleagues and other players as well as the player concerned. Remember that the captain is responsible for the behaviour of his team and so he should be reported as well, in cases of ill discipline. Do not just mention serious matters on your match report get in touch with Ken Featherston and fill in a proper disciplinary report form – sticking to the basic facts. If you don’t then not only are you allowing the player to get away with his ill discipline but you are also giving the message that he is allowed to, which will only cause further trouble among players and for your colleagues.

Post match routine

• Complete any forms
• Socialise – mix with players not just colleague
• Discussion of decisions

Finally

Tom Smith puts it like this:

An umpire above all must be a person of integrity. When under pressure it is by no means easy to keep calm and to remain completely neutral and unbiased. It is essential to do so. An umpire needs to cope not only with the clinical application of the Laws but with the attitude of players, which nowadays are often much more aggressive than in the past. He must be firm in control of the game, without being pedantic or officious. He must not let his absolute impartiality be affected by the behaviour of the players, or by the state of the game. He will therefore need an even temper and good humour to respond wisely to the often hasty and excited actions of players. He will need confidence in himself to remain calm, fearlessly continuing to control the game according to the Laws. Above all he will need common sense – a rare quality - to deal with both the unexpected and the awkward player.

Remember always that cricket is to be enjoyed.