Positioning - Striker's End Umpire

• Stand no more than 20 metres deep, closer for a slow bowler or when no fielders are located near you. Move further back if asked by a fielder but try never to be more than 25 to 30 metres away. Stand with one leg either side of the line and your eyes in a direct line with the popping crease.

• When the batsmen start to run, move in a few paces so that you will be no more than 15 metres from the wicket. This has a twofold effect of being closer to any possible action and is a good concentration cue to ensure you are in the best possible position at all times. It will also save time crossing over when left and right-handed batsmen are at the crease.

• Should a close fielder be positioned so that your view of the crease, stumps and flight of the ball to the wicketkeeper or slips could be obscured in any way, move to the off side. You must put yourself in the best possible position at all times to see the ball.

• When an injured striker is batting, stand on the off side and place the runner at square leg. Prior to the match beginning you should have asked the ground staff to make a crease 15 to 20 metres out. If this has not been done, the runner will want to scratch a mark where he thinks the crease is. If he does so, confer with him and let him know the mark is for a guide only and that you will be judging the line as an extension from the center of the popping crease. It may be prudent to get him to make the mark a short distance behind the line to ensure he touches down correctly each time.

• When not on strike, the injured striker is to be placed behind you at square leg unless he may possibly obstruct a fielder in which case he may stand in front of the crease. In exceptional circumstances such as glare from the sun, both the umpires and injured striker may move to the off side. Again your over riding consideration will be to put yourself in the best possible position to see the ball.

• Always watch for hit wicket and never be in a big hurry to follow the ball into the outfield. The time taken to ensure the wicket has not been broken will not impinge on what you need to see in the outfield and can save an embarrassing moment if there is an appeal. A good adage to remember is: when the striker plays forward – look for a stumping. When playing back, look for hit wicket.

• Be ready to give assistance to your colleague with short pitched or full pitched bowling. Use the background as a guide for shoulder height and waist height, something like the top of the boundary fence. You will continually need to adjust your guide mark to cater for the different height of batsmen.

• Watch for catches carrying and batsmen crossing. Signal to partner if required.

• Cross to off side if sun or glare makes conditions unsatisfactory. Always inform the captain and batsmen.

• When crossing for left/right handed batsmen, anticipate the need to change and begin walking in while the ball is still in play. This will allow you to be in position without having to rush by the time the bowler begins his run up.

• Be watchful of fieldsmen behind you and always check for possible leg side infringement. If there is a deep field very square behind you, move over to point.

• Stand side on to the stumps to watch both the ball and the running batsmen with quick sideways glances. Never crouch down or totally take your eye off the ball. Only turn back to face square on to the wicket when the ball has been returned past you. This will eliminate any chance of being hit by the ball if you take your eyes off it.