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 wicket-keeper or slips could be obscured in any way, move to the offside. 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 offside and place the runner behind the popping crease at square leg. Prior to the match beginning you should have asked the groundstaff to mark 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 centre 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 umpire and the injured striker may move to the offside. 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 sage 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 offside if sun or glare make conditions unsatisfactory. Always inform the captain and the 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 fielders 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 of 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.

Both umpires

• Watch the crease, not the bat or the stumps in the case of close run outs or stumpings. Your peripheral vision will show you the wicket being broken. In the case of the quick single and a direct hit, again focus on the crease. You will hear the wicket being struck. If in any doubt about the wicket being put down fairly, you must consult with your colleague.
• When the striker's end wicket need remaking, always check the alignment with your partner prior to moving back into position. If the bowler's end wicket is remade during an over, wait at the end of the over and ask your colleague to check it when he walks into position.
• Keep a notebook for all necessary information like, players leaving the field, batsmen on strike and who bowled the last over before an interval and the multitude of penalty runs and unfair play situations. Also note runs scored off overthrows, etc., so you can check with the scorers at the next interval. Indeed it is necessary to check with the scorers at every interval. All notes should be kept until the conclusion of the match.