Umpire (cricket)

An umpire in cricket is a person who has the authority to make decisions on the cricket field, according to the Laws of Cricket. Besides making decisions about legality of delivery, appeals for wickets and general conduct of the game in legal manner, the umpire also keeps a record of the deliveries and announces the completion of an over.

Related Topics:
Cricket - Laws of Cricket - Appeal - Wicket - Over

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Traditionally, all professional matches have had two umpires on the field, one standing at the end opposite the striking batsman's end (behind the stumps) and one at square leg. While on field, this continues to be so, there are now a number of off-field umpires as well. The third umpire in cricket is a special umpire who has the task of monitoring the game on television and is referred to by the umpire in the middle at his/her discretion. There may also be fourth and fifth umpires whose task is also to help in the conducting of the game in a proper and legal manner. These umpires are also replacements for the umpires in the middle if required.

Related Topics:
Square leg - Third umpire

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Professional matches also have a match referee, who complements the role of the umpires. The match referee makes no decisions relevant to the outcome of the game, but instead enforces the ICC Cricket Code of Conduct, ensuring the game is played in a reputable manner.

Related Topics:
Match referee - ICC Cricket Code of Conduct

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Umpires are sometimes jokingly referred to as the men in white (usually umpires wear long white coats), or other less affectionate terms. The best cricket umpires in the world are on the ICC Elite umpire panel.

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Minor cricket matches will also normally have trained umpires. In England and Wales all umpires are tested and given membership by the ECB as umpires. Cricket Australia has introduced a three-tier accreditation scheme and eventually all umpires will be required to achieve the appropriate level of accreditation. The ages of umpires can vary enormously as some are former players, while others enter the cricketing world as umpires. Recently a 16 year old in Staffordshire became an official umpire - Ryan Guest - in 2003. Physical disability need not necessarily be a barrier - in Victoria a 19 year old with cerebral palsy has achieved the national Level 2 accreditation, is umpiring in a country competition, has umpired a statewide carnival, and has been recognised for his achievement by Cricket Victoria.

Related Topics:
Cricket Australia - Physical disability - Cerebral palsy - Cricket Victoria

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