| The role of the cricket umpire is similar to that of a | | | | the over. He must also determine the legality of each |
| football referee. However, it must be noted that | | | | delivery (sometimes with the help of the square leg |
| there is an appointed match referee in international | | | | umpire). That umpire is responsible for ensuring fair |
| cricket, who serves to settle disputes and conducts | | | | play and making decisions about appeals by the |
| disciplinary hearings. The cricket umpire is a neutral | | | | fielding side and assisting the scorer by signalling |
| element on the field of play who seeks to uphold the | | | | 'extras' and boundaries. He is also responsible for |
| laws of cricket and the spirit of the game as well. | | | | calling periods of play like the end of an over and the |
| The cricket umpire is also a decision maker whose | | | | start or end of a session. |
| adjudications can often change the direction of a | | | | While the match referee usually deals with disciplinary |
| match. | | | | matters, a report must first be made to him by the |
| There must be at least two umpires in a cricket | | | | standing umpires. However, in some instances, the |
| match. In professional matches, there's a third umpire, | | | | standing umpires have the authority to penalise the |
| a reserve umpire and a match referee. The two | | | | teams for breaches of the spirit and rule of law. For |
| standing umpires and the third umpire are actively | | | | example, umpires may apply penalty runs for ball |
| involved in the game- making decisions that directly | | | | tampering or time-wasting. The umpires also have |
| affect the outcome. | | | | significant discretion concerning the duration of play |
| Safety is the first port of call for the two standing | | | | where bad light becomes a factor. |
| umpires. They decided when play will begin or resume | | | | Previously, the cricket umpire was the ultimate |
| after interruptions caused by rain or pitch repairs. The | | | | authority in a cricket match. However, technology |
| umpires decide whether the conditions are safe and | | | | highlighted the numerous gaffes made by umpires to |
| fit for players before proceeding with play. | | | | the extent that certain changes were made. In 2007, |
| Once play begins, the two umpires work in tandem, | | | | the ICC used a referral system where players can |
| switching positions for each over. There is an umpire | | | | challenge the umpires' decisions. Before that, umpires |
| standing behind the stumps at the non-strikers end | | | | were allowed to use the third umpire to refer |
| and one at square leg. The umpire at square leg | | | | marginal lbw decisions. Despite these challenges to |
| generally assists the other umpire with decisions like | | | | their authority, cricket umpires remain an authority on |
| no-balls (for height), run outs and stumping appeals). | | | | the cricket field that upholds the integrity of the |
| The umpire who is behind the stumps at the | | | | game. |
| non-striker's end keeps track of the ball bowled in | | | | |