From:

Mr. Channi Bains

HCL Secretary

 

With immense sadness I am obligated to share with you Disciplinary Committee ruling on a recent umpire abuse case. This should serve as a reminder to all clubs that tough decisions will be implemented when needed.

 

We have had two serious incidents where umpire decisions were not accepted in a civilized fashion. In some cases the umpire was threatened.

 

We realize that umpires are human and can make errors. It is our duty as cricketers to respect the umpire decisions however wrong and please allow your skipper to complain a bad umpiring issue to the EC. We will train more qualified umpires as we continue to progress in this arena. Please bear with us and let the umpires do their job to the best of their ability.

 

Here is the ruling from Phil Trayner, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee:

 

RULING
1. Based on the umpires report, and that from the 2 teams, the hearing, the incident does not reflect well on the HCL, the two clubs, captains and individual team members. Captains and clubs are fully responsible for the behaviour of their teams, and from the situation as decribed by the umpire, both captains and clubs should (and could) have taken actions both during and after the game to avoid these circumstances happening.
Both Clubs are therefore guilty of bring the game into disrepute and action should be taken as detailed below

2. The umpire has clearly expressed his decision on the result and in accordance with the Laws and Spirit of the game of Cricket, his decision should be considered final.
The result will stand.

3. The umpire made some fundamental errors, and we need to point these out to avoid repeat situations, and to increase the awareness of rules for other players and officials.
I will make a regular report for the website and for circulation to all clubs highlighting various incidents etc (without mentioning names)

RULINGS ON SPECIFIC INCIDENTS

1. Cameron Best of CICC is guilty of aggressive and potentially violent behaviour and should be suspended for 3 matches.
2. CICC were officially warned as to their conduct last season and have failed to improve their conduct by swearing at the umpire and opposition, refusing to accept the umpires decision, and refusing to properly conduct the scoring. CICC should be fined $100 and 6 points deducted.
3. RCC captain Abhinav is warned as to his future conduct for unsporting behaviour (abusive behaviour from his team and running out the batsmen when the ball was dead) and RCC should be fined $100 and 6 points, suspended until the end of the season unless additional serious incidents occur.
5. Both clubs should be copied on this ruling in full.

Umpire Guidelines

1. In the event of poor behaviour from one or both of the teams, the umpire should immediately request a private audience with responsible captains, and warn that if they do not speak to their players and ensure proper conduct, you will report the matter to the HCL. The HCL will back up all neutral umpires who conduct themselves in a proper manner and who make good factual (ie non-emotional or personal) reports.

2. Neutral umpires are reminded that they should consult with their square leg colleague in the event of a decision where you are believe a mistake has been made. Ask the umpire to describe the situation as he saw it, and then take your decision accordingly, overuling only if you are absolutely sure, explaining to your colleague if necessary that you are overuling since you had a clear enough view, and no doubt on the decision. Obviously, you must convince yourself of reasonable doubt, since this is always given to the batsman. Do not be tempted into commenting on anything other than facts, and take special care not to make personal or emotional statements. This applies at all times during a game, and if called upon to make an official report.

3. In the event of an individual batsman refusing to leave the wicket in a prompt manner after being given out, umpires should note the time of the fall of the wicket and warn the individual that the next batsman will be given "timed out" according to Law 31, unless the play is ready to resume no more than 3 minutes after the fall of the wicket. Further time delays can be construed as a refusal to play and under Law 21, the umpire has the power to award the game to the other team.

4. Players can only be run out when the ball is in play. Umpires are requested to review Law 23 concerning the dead ball. Although it is frequent practice in the HCL for players to ask permission before leaving their crease for a midwicket conference, this is not a requirement for the ball to be considered dead, and the umpires decision is final. Normally if a wicket keeper catches the ball cleanly and passes it to one of his fielding colleagues, the ball is then considered dead until the batsmen is in position to receive the next ball, and the bowler commences his run-up.
The full text of Law 23 Dead Ball is given below.

5. In the event that an umpire considers that a ball is deliberately unfairly delivered he should signal no ball and warn the captain and bowler that if it is repeated the bowler will have to be replaced. If it is repeated he should inform the captain and bowler and request another bowler to complete the over.

6. Umpires are reminded that they should check the scoring at each interval and ensure that it is been completed accurately. In the event of a dispute or  suspected error, the umpire should request to see the scorebook(s), check that they balance, and take a decision accordingly.

7. Umpires should make brief factual reports of all major disputes, and submit to League Vice President for necessary action. HCL is committed to stamping out poor behaviour and will ensure that proper action is taken.


LAW 23 DEAD BALL
1. Ball is dead
(a) The ball becomes dead when
(i) it is finally settled in the hands of the wicket-keeper or the bowler.
(ii) a boundary is scored. See Law 19.3 (Scoring a boundary).
(iii) a batsman is dismissed.
(iv) whether played or not it becomes trapped between the bat and person
of a batsman or between items of his clothing or equipment.
(v) whether played or not it lodges in the clothing or equipment of a
batsman or the clothing of an umpire.
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(vi) it lodges in a protective helmet worn by a member of the fielding side.
(vii) there is a contravention of either of Laws 41.2 (Fielding the ball) or
41.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side).
(viii) there is an award of penalty runs under Law 2.6 (Player returning
without permission).
(ix) Lost ball is called. See Law 20 (Lost ball).
(x) the umpire calls Over or Time.
(b) The ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the umpire at the
bowler’s end that the fielding side and both batsmen at the wicket have ceased to
regard it as in play.
2. Ball finally settled
Whether the ball is finally settled or not is a matter for the umpire alone to decide.
3. Umpire calling and signalling Dead ball
(a) When the ball has become dead under 1 above, the bowler’s end umpire may
call Dead ball, if it is necessary to inform the players.
(b) Either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball when
(i) he intervenes in a case of unfair play.
(ii) a serious injury to a player or umpire occurs.
(iii) he leaves his normal position for consultation.
(iv) one or both bails fall from the striker’s wicket before he has the
opportunity of playing the ball.
(v) he is satisfied that for an adequate reason the striker is not ready for the
delivery of the ball and, if the ball is delivered, makes no attempt to
play it.
(vi) the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way
while he is preparing to receive or receiving a delivery. This shall
apply whether the source of the distraction is within the game or
outside it. Note, however, the provisions of Law 42.4 (Deliberate
attempt to distract the striker).
The ball shall not count as one of the over.
(vii) the bowler drops the ball accidentally before delivery.
(viii) the ball does not leave the bowler’s hand for any reason other than an
attempt to run out the non-striker before entering his delivery stride.
See Law 42.15 (Bowler attempting to run out non-striker before
delivery).
(ix) he is required to do so under any of the Laws.
4. Ball ceases to be dead
The ball ceases to be dead – that is, it comes into play – when the bowler starts his
run up or, if he has no run up, his bowling action.
5. Action on call of Dead ball
(a) A ball is not to count as one of the over if it becomes dead or is to be
considered dead before the striker has had an opportunity to play it.
(b) If the ball becomes dead or is to be considered dead after the striker has had an
opportunity to play the ball, except in the circumstances of 3(vi) above and Law
42.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker), no additional delivery shall be
allowed unless No ball or Wide has been called.