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Who are in the current ICC elite panel of Umpires?

Why, this special treatment for the cricket umpires?

  • My q pertains to the wild, and sometimes outrageous gestures the umpire demonstrates before giving out a batsman. A bowler, if he straightens or bends his arms beyond a certain degree is called unkind names and his career is jeopardized; batsmen universally have more or less the same stance, but the umpires, who are supposed to be the more mature and clear-headed of the lot have no such uniform code. There was an Indian umpire in the elite panel who used to raise his arm in 90 degrees before showing a finger(no, not the middle one); it looked so indecent and lewd. I remember two umpires, one from SA and one from England pointing the fingers straight at the batsman’s face; one even’d wag the fingers at the poor batsman. There was an Australian umpire(not now, long back, he’s the one who had a brush with the law for being too nice to his wards when he’s not supposed to be so nice) who’d lock his hands behind before raising the finger. The current S African umpire’s slow poison’ll give a heart attack to someone one of these days. Then, there is that popular umpire (incidentally he’s my favourite after Simon) from the land of those beautiful birds, who does so many gymnastic and supple stunts before sending off the batsman. I dread to think what’ll happen if tomorrow Sree Santh or Bhajji or Symmonds decides to become an international umpire, and make up their mind to give out a batsman in their own style. Shouldn’t there be a uniform code for the umpires? Your thoughts.

  • Answer:

    I don't see any problem with the current nature of umpiring. The Code says that the umpire should raise his index finger above his shoulder level to indicate the batsman is out. As a matter of fact, the batsman should be walking when he is sure he is out. When he is not sure or doesn't want to be sure, he does not walk. In such cases, the fielding side appeals to the umpire, and the umpire raises his finger to say "You are out, pal". Every Umpire tries to be different from other umpires and they develop their style of umpiring. The flamboyancy of Billy Bowden or the sombre nature of Steve Buckner, it is how we distinguish umpires. We know Sehwag for explosive style of batting, Sachin for his technique, etc, etc, this is the umpires' reply to it. Their own style of umpiring. On a lighter note, Bhaji will raise his finger in a Bhangra style, Sreesanth will swirl his hand (like he did with his bat against Nel) before raising the finger etc

Evan at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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give them a break. as long as they give the right decision, and the signal that is understandable, then I dont really care. I like Billy Bowden...he has a different style which everyone knows!

flumpy37

Evan Sir, i think the uniform code only can be a farting posture because most of them fart all the time and give wrong decisions, i hate bucknor's rolling stone head over his neck giving approvals and disapprovals. To add Dickie was one of the most consistent umpire , i have seen who will raise the finger or not, no holds or gestures of face or neck rotation like Bucknor , Rudi sometimes creates doubts in people's mind that he is biased by his style only . Harper is another clown who will come somewhere from behind with a flickering mind . There was one Indian umpire who used to show reverse side of his finger as if he is giving that finger to someone or giving himself out ! There can not be a hard and fast rule since all are human beings and no two human beings can be same! unless they make bad gestures , i would take it, as long as they are consistent, my problem only arises when people change their minds and roll their necks, i have no problem with Billy and his style ! god bless!

мbтм™

They don't need a uniform code. If Billy isn't allowed to flail his arms around wildly during a match, I'll stop watching cricket.

Sir Paddles

lol, I know there are many umpires like that. Peter Sheppard used to point his finger straight at the batsman and Steve Bucknor raises his finger in a 90 degree angle next to his head and we all know about Rudi Koertzen's slow-death finger. But if there was a uniform code, then poor Billy Bowden would've been axed from umpiring. I would really miss his antics on the field and of course his crooked finger.

oиє ιи a мιllιoи - (oιм)

I don't think there should be a universal code for the umpires. It is their particular style. It can be a bit annoying like Rudi's slow death but i think the batsmen don't have a problem with it. In the case of Billy Bowden, you should be aware that he is sufering from rheumatoid arthritis. It is too painful for him to signal a batsman out in the conventional way with a straight index finger, which is why he does it with a crooked finger. I think the umpires with their different flashy,sedate and flamboyant styles make the game interesting. Imagine how dull it would be to see all the umpires having the same style. They should have their freedom and individuality too.

Julia L

I feel there is nothing wrong with umpire's antics. Bowlers are penalised for bending their arm beyond 5/10/15 degrees because otherwise it would be unfair to the batsman and anyone would use a throwing action like Shoiab Akhtar. Cricket is not about throwing balls as in baseball. If there was no rule on that, we would have seen the underarm tactics used even today. Moreover, its the players that play the game and they need to be within the rules so that game is played properly. But umpires do not play the game. Nomatter how they raise their fingers, it certainly doesnt afftect the gameplay in anyway like it would do if a bowlers chucks a ball. Umpires are there to make decisions and as long as they make the correct decision, it doesnt matter how they show the signals. Now, I understand your point. It looks obscene or rude to some people. But that's them. I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the umpires there. You can call that their freedom.

Bicentennial Man

It can get frustrating watching the game with some of the umpires' antics. Rudi seems to delight in the slow motion movement. Bucknor used to nod at the batsman first and then raise the finger. Pointing with the finger seems to be an English thing. Rather than raising the finger, they tend to point the arm with finger outstretched, aimed at the offending batsman. And Billy with his crooked finger, he's not too bad because at least it isn't in slow motion. All in all, it does make it interesting though sometimes they are annoying.

Bill P

i feel umpires should not have any sort of code...it will definitely make d game loose it's charm.the game of cricket has been developed not only due 2 d batsman and bowlers but also by the umpires(thought dey get unnoticed).it wud appear quite monotonous and u might as well get a robot standing in d place of the umpire....we've enjoyed cricket d way it has been all these years..so let us not spoil it...

suripunjabpower

YES i completely agree with u that umpire should have some rule and regulation of gestures

arsalan_kashi

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