The Association for all Cricket Umpires and Scorers based in Warwickshire
Questions are continually being asked of the correct procedures that the on-field umpires should implement in situations when an injured striker has a runner.
On further investigation it became clear that there are different strategies adopted and so it is appropriate for ECB ACO to describe their recommended course of action when such an event arises on the field of play.
Inevitably the previous best practice relating to the positioning of the umpire at the bowler’s end still applies (Tech-Tactic #002, December 2009), but there will be a need to modify this as your priorities change when a runner is on the field.
The following positions of the umpires, injured striker and runner are best practice and what we would expect from all members of ECB ACO to apply on field:
Umpire at Striker’s End
Decide which side of the wicket you will stand taking into account everything that you would normally do to be in the best possible position – this will more often than not be the off side of the wicket.
Position the runner at square leg (the side opposite to where you are positioned) as this is most likely to be the side where he will cause minimal disruption to the fielding side.
You should now be in a position where you will have the wicket, injured striker and runner all clearly in your view as a minimum requirement.
Umpire at Bowler’s End
This is the most difficult aspect of managing this whole scenario and a test of each umpire’s focus and concentration levels.
AT ALL TIMES the umpire at the bowler’s end is to move to the side of his colleague when moving to adjudicate on run outs. People often repeat to themselves during this time – “run to my mate”.
This movement will ensure that you will never find yourself in the situation of having to answer an appeal for a run out with the runner out of your view and running behind you!
Umpire at Striker’s End
With the injured striker not facing the bowling he is now out of the game un- less he wilfully brings himself into it. He needs to be positioned so that this state is emphasised.
The umpire should revert to his normal position at the striker’s end and he should take the injured striker with him.
The best position for the injured striker will be next to the umpire and slightly behind him. This is an opportunity for this umpire to be proactive in the smooth running of the game.
This position emphasises the point that the injured striker is not involved in play and makes any adjudication of his wilful involvement easier to identify.
To have the injured striker positioned in any other place increases the chances of him distracting with the fielding side at the very least and is an unnecessary risk.
Umpire at Bowler’s End
No change to your normal routines.
Article in ECB ACO Newsletter September 2010