Club Umpire's Guide to Cricket Australia Community Cricket All ages 2026/27

Under the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

• Arrive: both umpires must be on the ground and report to the Executive of the ground at least 45 minutes before the scheduled start of each day's play (Law 2.1).
• Take control of the balls: all balls to be used must be in the umpires' possession before the toss and stay under their control throughout the match (Law 4.2.1).
• Meet the captains before the toss and determine: the balls to be used; the hours of play and times and durations of intervals; which clock or watch and back-up timepiece is used; the boundary and allowances for boundaries, including whether any obstacle within the field is regarded as a boundary; the use of covers; and any special conditions of play (Law 2.3.1). Then inform the scorers of the hours, timepiece, boundary and special conditions (Law 2.3.2).
• Check the ground and equipment: the creases are correctly marked, the wickets properly positioned, the boundary complies with Law 19, and the ball, bat, stumps, bails and wicket-keeper's gloves conform to the Laws (Laws 2.4 and 2.5).
• Receive the team lists: each captain nominates their players in writing to one of the umpires before the toss (Law 1.2.1).
• Be present at the toss, which the captains hold on the field of play in the presence of one or both umpires, not earlier than 30 minutes nor later than 15 minutes before the scheduled start (Law 13.4). The winning captain tells the opposing captain and the umpires their decision to bat or field, and it cannot then be changed (Law 13.5).

Cricket Australia's Community Umpiring Technique Guidelines set out the "Starting Play" sequence for the bowler's end umpire:

1. Count the fielders.
2. Provide the bowling action (right or left arm, over or around the wicket).
3. Give guard.
4. Check the striker's end umpire is ready.
5. Check the fielding captain is ready.
6. Check the batters are ready.
7. Check the scorers are ready.
8. Call "Play".

Giving guard: always give guard from up at the stumps, use the same terminology the player uses, and point to the stump requested. The guidelines show "two offs" for off stump, "two centres" for middle stump and "one leg" for leg stump for a right-handed batter, with the matching calls shown for a left-handed batter.

Stance: a relaxed stance with hands by your side or clasped in front, head still, in line with the stumps. For a turf pitch the guidelines place the bails in line with the protected area markings; for an artificial pitch, mark 1.5 m from the return crease.

The bowler's end umpire calls Play before the first ball of the match and on resumption after any interval or interruption (Law 12.1 of the Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026).

Source: https://resources.playcommunity.pulselive.com/playcommunity/document/2024/09/30/5ec14db0-9734-406a-888a-8200cd45c46d/Community-Umpiring-Technique-Guidelines.pdf

Bowler's end umpire

• Calls Play before the first ball and on resumption after any interval or interruption, and calls Time when the ball is dead at the start of any interval or interruption (Laws 12.1 and 12.2).
• Stands so as not to interfere with the bowler's run-up or the striker's view, while still seeing any act needing a decision (Law 2.9).
• Calls and signals No ball for the bowler's foot faults: Cricket Australia's technique guidelines list the front foot having no part grounded or raised behind the popping crease, or the back foot touching or outside the return crease. Keep your head still, focus on the striker, flick your eyes down to check the front foot, then back to the striker.
• Repeats signals to the scorers when the ball is dead and gives the final signal for Short run (Law 2.13).
• Moves after the ball is played to see the batters touching down at the popping crease at the bowler's end for possible run outs.

Striker's end umpire

• Under the technique guidelines is responsible for No balls for the wicket-keeper's position and all fielding restrictions (including more than 2 fielders behind the popping crease on the on side), and for stumped, hit wicket and run out at that end.
• Supports the bowler's end umpire on catches carrying, and on dangerous non-pitching and over-shoulder or head-high bounced deliveries.
• May elect to stand on the off side of the pitch instead of the on side, provided they inform the fielding captain, the striker and the other umpire (Law 2.9).

Both

• Umpires change ends after each side has had one completed innings (Law 2.10).
• If an umpire has to be replaced, the replacement acts only as striker's end umpire unless the captains agree they take full responsibility (Law 2.2).

Under Law 2.13 of the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

Signals while the ball is in play

• Dead ball: cross and re-cross the wrists below the waist.
• No ball: extend one arm horizontally.
• Wide: extend both arms horizontally.
• Out: raise an index finger above the head.

Telling the scorers

• When the ball is dead, the bowler's end umpire repeats the signals above (except Out) to the scorers.
• Signals made to the scorers only when the ball is dead: Boundary 4 (wave an arm side to side, finishing with it across the chest), Boundary 6 (both arms above the head), Bye (open hand above the head), Leg bye (touch a raised knee with the hand), New ball (hold the ball above the head), Commencement of Last hour (point to a raised wrist with the other hand), Five Penalty runs to the batting side (repeatedly tap one shoulder with the opposite hand), Five Penalty runs to the fielding side (place one hand on the opposite shoulder), Revoke last signal (touch both shoulders, each with the opposite hand), and Short run (bend one arm upwards and touch the nearer shoulder with the fingertips).
• Short run is signalled by the umpire at the end where it occurs, but the bowler's end umpire gives the final signal and tells the scorers how many runs to record if more than one is short.
• Level 3 and Level 4 conduct each have a two-part signal, and each part must be acknowledged separately.

Checking they have seen it

• Wait until each signal has been separately acknowledged by a scorer before allowing play to proceed (Law 2.13.2). Scorers must immediately acknowledge each separate signal (Law 3.3).
• If you give several signals, give them in the order the events occurred. Cricket Australia's technique guidelines say the same.
• Agree the runs, wickets and overs with the scorers at every interval other than a drinks interval, and at the end of the match (Laws 2.15 and 3.2).

Appeals and the Out signal. Under Law 31.1 an umpire does not give a batter out without an appeal. Cricket Australia's Community Umpiring Technique Guidelines say the Out signal (raised index finger above the head, Law 2.13.1.1) only needs to be given for appeals relating to LBW, caught behind (batter stands their ground), run out, stumping, obstructing the field, timed out, and any case where the batter stands their ground. It does not need to be given when the batter immediately "walks", for example bowled, an outfield catch, or caught behind or in the slips. If the batter is not out, call "Not out" (Law 2.13.1.1).

Doubt. The guidelines' LBW process ends with "if you have ANY doubt" the decision is Not out. Under Law 31.6, if after consulting your partner on a point of fact there is still doubt, the decision is Not out.

Changing a decision. An umpire may alter any decision provided it is done promptly and does not contradict Law 20.6 (dead ball not to be revoked). Apart from that, a decision once made is final (Law 2.12). The umpires together make the final decision on any disagreement or dispute (Law 2.11).

Withdrawn appeals and wrongly leaving batters. The fielding captain can withdraw an appeal only with the consent of the umpire it falls under, before the next delivery (Law 31.8). If a batter who was not given out leaves the wicket under a reasonable misapprehension of being out, either umpire calls Dead ball and recalls them (Law 31.7).

Cricket Australia's Community Umpiring Technique Guidelines (teamwork pages) set out this process. They say to check local playing conditions as well.

Short-pitching deliveries

• The striker's end umpire signals to the bowler's end umpire that the delivery is an offence.
• The bowler's end umpire gives the first caution to the bowler and the batter, after any sundries are signalled.
• A second and subsequent short-pitched delivery in an over results in a No ball signalled by the bowler's end umpire.

Dangerous non-pitching deliveries

• The striker's end umpire calls No ball for a non-pitching delivery above waist height, and signals below waist height to the bowler's end umpire.
• Waist height is the point where the top of the batter's trousers would conventionally be when standing upright at the popping crease. Find a reference point in the background and alter position for batters of different heights.
• For the first dangerous non-pitching delivery the bowler must be cautioned. For the second, the bowler must be suspended from bowling for the remainder of the innings.
• The pace of the bowler is irrelevant to calling the No ball. In marginal calls, or if in doubt, call No ball.

After any illegal delivery, dead ball or wicket, recheck the "balls to go".

Source: https://resources.playcommunity.pulselive.com/playcommunity/document/2024/09/30/5ec14db0-9734-406a-888a-8200cd45c46d/Community-Umpiring-Technique-Guidelines.pdf

Under Law 42 of the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026), if either umpire considers a player's conduct unacceptable they call and signal Dead ball (the call may be delayed until it will not disadvantage the non-offending side), report to the other umpire, and together decide whether misconduct occurred and at which Level. If the offender is a batter, the umpires summon that player's captain to the field.

• Level 1 (for example showing dissent at a decision, offensive language, an obscene gesture, excessive appealing, wilfully mistreating the ground or equipment): the first offence by the team brings a first and final warning to the captain that applies to all team members for the rest of the match. Any later offence by that team brings 5 Penalty runs to the opposition.
• Level 2 (for example serious dissent, deliberate physical contact with a player, dangerously throwing the ball at a person, seriously insulting language): 5 Penalty runs to the opposition and a warning that any future Level 1 offence by the team means 5 more.
• Level 3 (intimidating an umpire, or threatening to assault a player or other person except an umpire): the player is removed from the field, for 10 overs in a match not limited by overs, or one fifth of the innings' overs in a limited-overs match (a part over counts as a whole over), plus 5 Penalty runs, and the offence is signalled to the scorers.
• Level 4 (threatening or making deliberate physical contact with an umpire, assaulting anyone, any other act of violence): the player is removed for the rest of the match, recorded as "Retired - out" where relevant, plus 5 Penalty runs, and the offence is signalled to the scorers.

If a captain refuses to remove a player under a Level 3 or 4 direction, you invoke Law 16.3 (umpires awarding a match). Time lost counts as lost playing time and the close of play is extended (Law 42.1.6).

Under the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026), for any Level 1 to Level 4 offence under Law 42 (Players' conduct), the two umpires together must report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to:

• the Executive of the offending player's team, and
• any Governing Body responsible for the match.

They then take such further action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team (Laws 42.2.2.6, 42.3.2.6, 42.4.2.5 and 42.5.2.5).

The same reporting duty applies after an unfair action under Law 41.2 (Law 41.2.1.3), and after a player returns to the field without permission and touches the ball (Law 24.4).

The Laws do not set out a form or a method of reporting. A player's behaviour is also measured against the Players Code of Behaviour on Cricket Australia's community site, whose points include "Never argue with an umpire" and "Control your temper", and which says verbal abuse of officials, sledging and deliberately distracting or provoking opponents are not acceptable (https://play.cricket.com.au/community/resources/codes-of-behaviour/players).

Under the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

Substitute fielder (Law 24.1)

• You must allow one if satisfied a fielder has been injured or become ill and this occurred during the match, or for any other wholly acceptable reason. In all other circumstances a substitute is not allowed.
• A substitute may not bowl or act as captain. They may keep wicket only with the umpires' consent.

Runner (Law 25.5)

• You must allow a runner if satisfied the batter has sustained an injury that affects their ability to run and that this occurred during the match, or for any other wholly acceptable reason. Otherwise no runner is allowed.
• The runner must be a member of the batting side and, if possible, have already completed their innings. They can be changed only with the umpires' consent, must wear external protective equipment equivalent to the injured batter's, and must carry a bat.

Fielder who leaves the field (Law 24.2)

• A fielder who is absent must have the reason given to an umpire. They cannot return during a session without an umpire's consent, which the umpire gives as soon as practicable.
• They cannot bowl until they have served Penalty time back on the field (the time they were off, up to a maximum of 90 minutes). Penalty time is not incurred if the player left because of an external blow during the match, or for other wholly acceptable reasons in the umpires' opinion, which do not include illness or internal injury (Law 24.3).

Under the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026), Law 2.7 to 2.8:

• Only the two umpires together decide whether conditions of ground, weather or light, or exceptional circumstances, make play dangerous or unreasonable.
• Conditions are not dangerous or unreasonable merely because they are not ideal. The fact that the grass and the ball are wet does not by itself make the ground unreasonable or dangerous.
• Conditions are dangerous if there is actual and foreseeable risk to the safety of any player or umpire. They are unreasonable if there is no safety risk but it would not be sensible for play to proceed.
• If the ground is so wet or slippery that the bowler lacks a reasonable foothold, fielders cannot move freely, or batters cannot play their strokes or run between the wickets, play is regarded as dangerous and unreasonable.
• If either umpire considers conditions dangerous or unreasonable, the umpires must immediately suspend play, or not allow play to start or recommence.
• During a suspension the umpires monitor conditions, inspect as often as appropriate without any players or officials, and call on the players to resume as soon as both agree conditions are no longer dangerous or unreasonable.

The umpires are also the sole judges of the fitness of the pitch (Law 6.2).

Cricket Australia's Umpires Code of Behaviour (2024 update) says umpires should:

• modify rules and regulations to match the skill levels and needs of young people, in accordance with Cricket Australia guidelines
• compliment and encourage all participants
• be consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions
• condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all participants
• emphasise the spirit of the game rather than the errors
• encourage and promote rule changes which will make participation more enjoyable
• be a good sport themselves, because actions speak louder than words
• keep up to date with the latest umpiring resources and the principles of growth and development of young people
• remember they set an example, so their behaviour and comments should be positive and supportive
• place the safety and welfare of participants above all else
• give all people a "fair go" regardless of gender, ability, cultural background or religion
• be aware of and follow the codes of conduct and policies of their state or territory cricket association

Source: https://play.cricket.com.au/community/umpire/resources