Provide guidance to the captain
As mentioned before, as an umpire you will be given the responsibility to control certain parts of the game. This includes awarding or denying runs via the batting side, ruling shots legal or illegal depending on whether it is within bounds, and determining if a catch has been made.
Umpires also have the opportunity to speak to both teams during breaks in play to discuss any potential rules violations that may occur. They are not allowed to comment on the field or players’ actions, however.
If a player commits a major offence like being one-ball over or throwing the ball, then they can be shown a yellow card which results in them being replaced for a set number of balls. If this continues, then they would receive a red card and must leave the pitch!
There is always at least two hours per match where there is no action taking place. During these time periods, your team could use the break to prepare for the next stage, so it is important to find out who their key people are and what strategies they use.
This information can help you determine how best to approach the opposing team with regards to possible rule changes or conversations.
Disallow bad sportsmanship
As we have seen, cricket is not just about who has more balls or runs but how they go about their business while playing a game is important. If you keep it professional at all times, then there is a good chance that people will respect your sport as well as yourself as an athlete.
Bad sportsmanship can hurt the game itself and even offend other players. It is very unfortunate to see some individuals show no respect for the game and those around them. Whether it is swearing, taking too long between breaks, being disrespectful towards umpires, using poor language, etc., these things are completely unacceptable.
As an official, it is your responsibility to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and able to enjoy the game. This means avoiding situations where this type of behavior may occur by being aware and prepared. Make sure you are always level-headed and do not hesitate to say something if needed!
At the same time, make sure to be friendly to others but also know when to call out bad behaviors. The best officials never try to conceal anything and always hold each other accountable.
Ensure the safety of players
As we have seen, the umpire is an integral part of any cricket match. They play a crucial role by ensuring that the game goes as planned and that the rules are followed to the letter.
One of their most important jobs is protecting the safety of the player at the other end. This can mean stepping in between the fielders and the batsman to prevent a run-out or getting hit by a ball while they go for a quick throw. It can also include calling time out if needed so that a batting team does not get overeager after a wicket.
The more experienced teams will have their strategies worked out, but this should never be used as an excuse to take liberties with the laws. When you feel like you do not need help figuring out how to win the next ball, then don’t ask for it!
Be careful what types of calls you make when there is no need for them. If you think something bad has happened, then call for a replay, but only if it is legitimate.
Ensure the fair play of the game
As we have seen, cricket is not just about batting and bowling, but also includes things like throwing or obstructing the field, hitting balls with illegal weapons, and so on. These are what people refer to as offences, and they are called cheating, violations, or rules being broken.
These types of offences can result in penalties for the players involved. Typically, this means having to re-start the match from the position where it was when the offence took place, which is very frustrating for both sides.
However, more seriously than that, there will be a disciplinary hearing held after the match to determine whether or not the player has committed an even bigger crime by trying to cheat the system. If he does, then he could get his lifetime ban removed!
Ensure the integrity of the match
As mentioned before, one of the most important roles an umpire has is to ensure that the game is played cleanly and fairly. This includes keeping an eye out for any type of cheating or manipulation of the ball or bat.
If anything looks suspicious, then you need to alert the other person about it! They may try to deny doing what they were accused of, which only adds weight to how serious the accusation is.
It is also the responsibility of the umpire to make sure that nothing illegal takes place with the equipment used during play. For example, if someone uses a plastic bottle as a water bottle while the player is trying to dry off their hands after handling the cricket ball, then this could be considered using an improper item.
Umpires must also check that players are abiding by the laws of the game. If a player is seen breaking a law, then they should give them a warning at least, if not send them home immediately!
Ensure the spectators enjoy the game
As we saw before, an umpire is not just someone who calls balls and strikes, but rather they are key figures in making sure that the game is enjoyable for all involved.
They make sure that the rules are enforced properly and that everything goes smoothly. They also work to promote respect for the game by creating good relationships between players.
When there are bad interactions or disagreements, the umpires step in to prevent any potential problems from happening. This way, the game can stay within the rules!
The most important thing about being an umpire is having enough patience. You will have times when no one likes what you say, and it could even be because another player or team member feels wronged.
But remember, as an official of the sport, your job is to enforce the laws! Stay calm and keep working until the match is over.
Give each team an equal chance to win
As mentioned before, cricket is not only about who will make it into the top tier teams but also how these teams perform once they are there. The little thing like using your bat or ball with skill can matter a lot!
In fact, some say that the umpires are the most important person at a cricket match because their decisions can either help or hinder the outcome.
The difference between a close game and one where one side has a big lead can be what position the umpire comes from. If he is behind his own goal then maybe his decision will go against you, if he is looking towards the other end then perhaps you need to play more aggressively as you know the opposing team cannot defend that area.
There have been many examples in history where a small mistake by an umpire determined the winner or loser of a game.
Help settle disputes
As cricket is a very competitive sport, there will be disagreements over how to play a ball or what calls should be given by the umpires. These arguments can get pretty heated as both teams want their players to win so they use any argument possible to defend their actions.
In addition to this, some fans may take umbrage at an official’s call, calling them wrong all along. This results in even more heated discussions.
As a fan it is your responsibility to stay calm and avoid getting too involved in the game. You have invested time in watching and supporting the team, you do not need another reason to boo or jeer.
Instead look for ways to help facilitate a peaceful resolution. If something does go awry then try talking to the other person about the reasons why the call was made and see if that changes their mind.
Alternatively you could talk to one of the officials to verify the rules were followed correctly. Only doing these things when necessary will prevent unnecessary tension.
Provide a consistent and fair rule set
As we have seen, cricket is not an easy game to watch for anyone. There are so many different things that can happen during a match that it can be hard to know what is going on. This is why there are umpires- they regulate some parts of the game.
Umpiring may seem like a simple job at first, but there are a lot of rules involved. The number of people who referee a sport goes up because someone has to take charge before the match starts and there are too many distractions or off-field issues to let the players sort out themselves.
That’s where the umpire comes in. They make sure everything is done according to the rules and that nothing illegal happens. It is their responsibility to keep the peace and ensure that play does not stop due to something outside the field of play.
There will always be one person assigned to each team, which means that every side has somebody watching their back. That helps teams feel more secure when the player is trying to score a goal or prevent an opposing team from scoring a goal.
It also gives them the opportunity to focus only on the next action instead of being distracted by the other team or their own teammates getting into a tussle somewhere else on the pitch.
