Decision Making

• All decision making must be unhurried. The impression must be given to the players that your decision has been objectively considered on the facts known to the umpire.

• It is important to note that decision making occurs on every ball, not just when an appeal is made. Consistent decision making is essential to the effective conduct of the game. Consistent judgment of wides, no balls, leg byes etc. will have a bearing on how well your performance is rated by the Captains.

• LBW : Always have the basics in mind. In judging the height it is a good idea to have doubts about any ball (except a full toss) that hits the batsman above the roll on the pad. When a left hand batsman is on strike to a right arm over the wicket bowler, you would like a short of a length ball to straighten either in the air or off the pitch to give earnest consideration for an out decision. The same principles apply for a right hand batsman facing a left arm over the wicket bowler. Always take into account how far the ball has to travel after impact before it would reach the stumps. Always try to pay attention as to whether the batsman is making a genuine effort to play at the ball with the bat. Take your time to weigh up all the possibilities and give your decision confidently.

• Caught behind, bat/ pad catches: Consider your decision from where you are standing. Do not move away from the stumps before or after giving your decision. This gives the impression that you are unsure or have not given the decision due thought.

• Wait a moment or two for the appeal to finish and make eye contact with the batsman if you give him out. If he turns his back, make sure you hold your hand up until he looks at you. Similarly, unless there is a need to follow the ball further, make eye contact with the bowler when giving a not out decision. Always be confident and certain when giving decisions.

• Wides: Umpires are instructed to apply a very strict and consistent interpretation in regard to this Law in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket. Any offside or leg side delivery that, in the opinion of the umpire, does not give the batsman a reasonable opportunity to score, shall be called a wide. A ball that passes clearly above head height of the batsman that prevents him from being able to hit it with his bat by means of a normal cricket stroke shall be called a wide by the umpire at the bowlers end. In limited over matches, lines shall be drawn on the popping crease parallel with the return crease measured 75cm from the off stump on both sides of the wicket. These lines shall extend back towards the bowling crease and forward from the bowling crease and be 30cm long.

• Front foot no balls: Keep your head still and only move your eyes from the foot to pick up the ball in flight. Establish a consistent approach to each consideration for no balls. For example, if the bowler has been OK with his foot placement and he then lands right on the edge of the line, rather than trying to judge a no ball by a millimeter, ask the bowler to come back. If the foot lands clearly over the line, even if it is the first time, no ball must be called.

• Runs or leg byes: Invoke established signal with your partner but remember, at all times, take responsibility for your own decision. If you receive a signal that is in conflict with your opinion, always go with your own view. When judging whether to allow leg byes, consider the position of the bat in relation to the pad. If the bat is well behind the pad, leg byes should be disallowed. Remember the batsman should not be allowed to just “show” the bat. Look for the bat either beside or in front of the pad.

• Short run or boundary: Stand side on to watch both the ball and the running batsmen with quick glances either way. If the ball is close to the boundary and a batsman is about to touch down for a run, watching for the boundary takes precedence, as does a catch.