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Men's ODI Match Clause 2: The Umpires

2.1. Appointment and attendance

The following rules for the selection and appointment of ODI umpires shall be followed as far as it is practicable to do so:

  • 2.1.1. The umpires shall control the game as required by these Playing Conditions, with absolute impartiality and shall be present at the ground at least two hours before the scheduled start of the first day’s play, and at least 1.5 hours before the scheduled start of play.
  • 2.1.2. The ICC shall establish an ‘Elite Panel’ of umpires who shall be contracted to the ICC.
  • 2.1.3. Each Full Member shall nominate from its panel of first class umpires up to four umpires to an ‘International Panel’
  • 2.1.4. The ICC shall appoint one umpire to stand in each ODI match. Such umpire shall not be from the same country as the participating teams and shall be selected from the ‘Elite Panel’ or the ‘International Panel’.
  • 2.1.5. The Home Board shall appoint one umpire to stand in each ODI. Such umpire shall be selected from its umpires on the Elite or International Panel.
  • 2.1.6. As early as possible before each ODI Match, the ICC will advise the Home Board of the names of its appointees and the Home Board will advise the Manager of the visiting team of all umpires’ names.
  • 2.1.7. In ODI matches where the DRS is used, the ICC will appoint a third umpire who shall act as the emergency on-field umpire and officiate in regard to the DRS. Such third umpire shall not be from the same country as the participating teams and shall be appointed from the ‘Elite Panel’ or the ‘International Panel’.

  • 2.1.8. In all other ODI matches, the third umpire will be appointed by the Home Board and shall act as the emergency on-field umpire and officiate in regard to TV replays. Such appointment shall be made from the ‘Elite Panel’ or the ‘International Panel’.

    • 2.1.8.1. The playing conditions governing the use of the DRS and the third umpire are included in Appendix D.

  • 2.1.9. The Home Board shall also appoint a fourth umpire for each ODI match from its panel of first class umpires. The fourth umpire shall act as the emergency third umpire. In ‘DRS’ ODI matches the fourth umpire shall be appointed from the “International Panel”

  • 2.1.10. The ICC shall appoint the match referee for all matches (ICC Match Referee).

  • 2.1.11. The ICC Match Referee shall not be from the same country as the participating teams.

  • 2.1.12. Neither team will have a right of objection to the appointment of any umpire or match referee.

2.2. Change of umpire

An umpire shall not be changed during the match, other than in exceptional circumstances, unless he/she is injured or ill.

2.3. Consultation with Home Board

Before the match the umpires shall consult with the Home Board to determine;

  • 2.3.1. the balls to be used during the match. See clause 4 (The ball).
  • 2.3.2. the hours of play and the times and durations of any agreed intervals.
  • 2.3.3. which clock or watch and back-up time piece is to be used during the match.
  • 2.3.4. the boundary of the field of play. See clause 19 (Boundaries).
  • 2.3.5. the use of covers. See clause 10 (Covering the pitch).
  • 2.3.6. any special conditions of play affecting the conduct of the match.

inform the scorers of agreements in 2.3.2, 2.3.3, 2.3.4 and 2.3.6.

2.4. The wickets, creases and boundaries

Before the toss and during the match, the umpires shall satisfy themselves that

  • 2.4.1. the wickets are properly pitched. See clause 8 (The wickets)
  • 2.4.2. the creases are correctly marked. See clause 7 (The creases).
  • 2.4.3. the boundary of the field of play complies with the requirements of clauses 19.1 (Determining the boundary of the field of play), 19.2 (Identifying and marking the boundary) and 19.3 (Restoring the boundary).

2.5. Conduct of the match, implements and equipment

Before the toss and during the match, the umpires shall satisfy themselves that

  • 2.5.1. the conduct of the match is strictly in accordance with these Playing Conditions.

  • 2.5.2. the implements used in the match conform to the following

    • 2.5.2.1.clause 4 (The ball).
    • 2.5.2.2. externally visible requirements of clause 5 (The bat) and paragraph 1 of Appendix B
    • 2.5.2.3. either clauses 8.2 (Size of stumps) and 8.3 (The bails).

  • 2.5.3. no player uses equipment other than that permitted. See paragragh 2 of Appendix A. Note particularly therein the interpretation of ‘protective helmet’.

  • 2.5.4. the wicket-keeper’s gloves comply with the requirements of clause 27.2 (Gloves).

2.6. Fair and unfair play

The umpires shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play.

2.7. Fitness for play

  • 2.7.1. It is solely for the umpires together to decide whether either conditions of ground, weather or light or exceptional circumstances mean that it would be dangerous or unreasonable for play to take place.

    Conditions shall not be regarded as either dangerous or unreasonable merely because they are not ideal.

    The fact that the grass and the ball are wet does not warrant the ground conditions being regarded as unreasonable or dangerous.

  • 2.7.2. Conditions shall be regarded as dangerous if there is actual and foreseeable risk to the safety of any player or umpire.

  • 2.7.3. Conditions shall be regarded as unreasonable if, although posing no risk to safety, it would not be sensible for play to proceed.

  • 2.7.4. If the umpires consider the ground is so wet or slippery as to deprive the bowler of a reasonable foothold, the fielders of the power of free movement, or the batsmen of the ability to play their strokes or to run between the wickets, then these conditions shall be regarded as so bad that it would be dangerous and unreasonable for play to take place.

2.8. Suspension of play in dangerous or unreasonable circumstances

  • 2.8.1. All references to ground include the pitch. See clause 6.1 (Area of pitch).

  • 2.8.2. If at any time the umpires together agree that the conditions of ground, weather or light, or any other circumstances are dangerous or unreasonable, they shall immediately suspend play, or not allow play to start or to recommence. The decision as to whether conditions are so bad as to warrant such action is one for the umpires alone to make, following consultation with the ICC Match Referee.

  • 2.8.3. If circumstances are warranted, the umpires shall stop play and instruct the Ground Authority to take whatever action they can and use whatever equipment is necessary to remove as much dew as possible from the outfield when conditions become unreasonable or dangerous. The umpires may also instruct the ground staff to take such action during scheduled and unscheduled breaks in play.

  • 2.8.4. The umpires shall disregard any shadow on the pitch from the stadium or from any permanent object on the ground.

  • 2.8.5. Light Meters

    It is the responsibility of the ICC to supply light meters to the match officials to be used in accordance with these playing conditions.

    • 2.8.5.1. All light meters shall be uniformly calibrated.
    • 2.8.5.2. The umpires shall be entitled to use light meter readings as a guideline for determining whether the light is fit for play in accordance with the criteria set out in clause 2.8.2 above.

  • 2.8.5.3. Light meter readings may accordingly be used by the umpires:

    • 2.8.5.3.1. To determine whether there has been at any stage a deterioration or improvement in the light.
    • 2.8.5.3.2. As benchmarks for the remainder of a match. 2.8.6. Use of artificial lights

If in the opinion of the umpires, natural light is deteriorating to an unfit level, they shall authorize the Ground Authority to use the available artificial lighting so that the match can commence or continue in acceptable conditions. In the event of power failure or lights malfunction, the provisions relating to the delay or interruption of play due to bad weather or light shall apply.

  • 2.8.7. When there is a suspension of play it is the responsibility of the umpires to monitor conditions. They shall make inspections as often as appropriate, unaccompanied by any players or officials. Immediately the umpires together agree that the conditions are no longer dangerous or unreasonable they shall call upon the players to resume play.
  • 2.8.8. The safety of all persons within the ground is of paramount importance to the ICC. In the event that of any threatening circumstance, whether actual or perceived (including for example weather, pitch invasions, act of God, etc.), then the umpires, on the advice of the ICC Match Referee, should suspend play and all players and officials should immediately be asked to leave the field of play in a safe and orderly manner and to relocate to a secure and safe area (depending on each particular threat) pending the satisfactory passing or resolution of such threat or risk to the reasonable satisfaction of the umpires, the ICC Match Referee, the head of the relevant Ground Authority, the head of ground security and/or the police as the circumstances may require.
  • 2.8.9. Where play is suspended under clause 2.8.8 above the decision to abandon or resume play shall be the responsibility of the ICC Match Referee who shall act only after consultation with the head of ground security and the police.

2.9. Position of umpires

The umpires shall stand where they can best see any act upon which their decision may be required.

Subject to this over-riding consideration, the bowler’s end umpire shall stand in a position so as not to interfere with either the bowler’s run-up or the striker’s view.

The striker’s end umpire may elect to stand on the off side instead of the on side of the pitch, provided he informs the captain of the fielding side, the striker and the other umpire.

2.10. Umpires changing ends

Shall not apply.

2.11. Disagreement and dispute

Where there is disagreement or dispute about any matter, the umpires together shall make the final decision. See also clause 31.6 (Consultation by umpires).

2.12. Umpire’s decision

An umpire may alter any decision provided that such alteration is made promptly. This apart, an umpire’s decision, once made, is final.

2.13. Signals

  • 2.13.1. The following code of signals shall be used by umpires.

  • 2.13.1.1. Signals made while the ball is in play
    No ball - by extending one arm horizontally.
    Out - by raising an index finger above the head. (If not out, the umpire shall call Not out.)
    Wide - by extending both arms horizontally.

    Dead ball - by crossing and re-crossing the wrists below the waist.

  • 2.13.1.2. When the ball is dead, the bowler’s end umpire shall repeat the signals in clause 2.13.1.1, with the exception of the signal for Out, to the scorers.

  • 2.13.1.3. The signals listed below shall be made to the scorers only when the ball is dead.

Boundary 4 - by waving an arm from side to side finishing with the arm across the chest

Boundary 6 - by raising both arms above the head.

Bye - by raising an open hand above the head.

Five Penalty runs awarded to the batting side - by repeated tapping of one shoulder with the opposite hand.

Five Penalty runs awarded to the fielding side - by placing one hand on the opposite shoulder.

Leg bye - by touching a raised knee with the hand.

Revoke last signal - by touching both shoulders, each with the opposite hand.

Short run - by bending one arm upwards and touching the nearer shoulder with the tips of the fingers.

Free Hit – after signaling the no ball, the bowler’s end umpire extends one arm straight upwards and moves it in a circular motion.

Powerplay Over – by rotating his arm in a large circle.

The following signal is for Level 4 player conduct offences. The signal has two parts, both of which should be acknowledged separately by the scorers.

Level 4 conduct

Part 1 - by putting one arm out to the side of the body and repeatedly raising it and lowering it.

Part 2 - by raising an index finger, held at shoulder height, to the side of the body.

2.13.1.4. All the signals in clause 2.13.1.3 are to be made by the bowler’s end umpire except that for Short run, which is to be signalled by the umpire at the end where short running occurs. However, the bowler’s end umpire shall be responsible both for the final signal of Short run to the scorers and, if more than one run is short, for informing them as to the number of runs to be recorded.

  • 2.13.2. The umpire shall wait until each signal to the scorers has been separately acknowledged by a scorer before allowing play to proceed.

If several signals are to be used, they should be given in the order that the events occurred.

2.14. Informing the umpires

Wherever the umpires are to receive information from captains or other players under these Playing Conditions, it will be sufficient for one umpire to be so informed and for him/her to inform the other umpire.

2.15. Correctness of scores

Consultation between umpires and scorers on doubtful points is essential. The umpires shall, throughout the match, satisfy themselves as to the correctness of the number of runs scored, the wickets that have fallen and, where appropriate, the number of overs bowled.

The umpires shall ensure that they are able to contact the scorers at any time during the match and at its conclusion to address any issues relating to the correctness of scores.