Umpire's Guide to Cricket Canada Umpiring and MCC Laws Open Age 2026

From Cricket Canada's Umpiring Examination Guidelines and 2026 Umpiring Examination Schedule:

Registration

• Candidates must have legal status in Canada.
• Register and pay the fee at least five days before the exam. Candidates who fail to register may not be allowed to sit the examination.
• Intermediate candidates must show proof of passing the Provisional exam. Qualified candidates must show proof of passing the Intermediate exam.
• All examinations are held in April across the country.
• The 2026 schedule listed Eastern Canada (Halifax 4 April, Moncton 5 April, Montreal 11 April, Ottawa 12 April, Toronto 25 April), British Columbia (Surrey 12 April) and the Prairies (Regina 4 April, Saskatoon 5 April, Winnipeg 11 April, Edmonton 12 April, Calgary 18 April).
• Regional contacts: Rohan Shah (Eastern Canada) umpirerohan@outlook.com, Harry Grewal (British Columbia) harry@thegrewals.ca, Amol Bhatt (Prairies) umpire4cricket@gmail.com.

What the written exam covers

• Part A: the current MCC Laws of Cricket (latest version).
• Part B: the current ICC Playing Conditions for limited-overs matches. Scorer candidates take Part A only.
• Recommended study: Tom Smith's Cricket Umpiring and Scoring (latest edition) and the current ICC limited-overs Playing Conditions.
• Intermediate and Qualified candidates receive a Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) worksheet and resource table and may use only those during the exam.

Exam rules

• Bring government-issued photo ID.
• Use only blue or black ballpoint pens.
• Phones, smartwatches and hand-held devices are prohibited.
• Bring your own standard calculator. Scientific calculators are not allowed.
• Exam papers remain Cricket Canada property. Copying, photographing, recording or sharing them is strictly prohibited.

Sources: https://cricketcanada.org/cricket-canada-officials-sub1/ and https://cricketcanada.org/cricket-canada-officials-sub3/

Cricket Canada's Umpiring Examination Guidelines require a Qualified Umpire candidate to score at least 80% in each of three parts:

1. Written exam: unlimited attempts, provided you still meet the eligibility requirements.
2. On-field assessment: conducted by assessors appointed by Cricket Canada. Maximum of 2 attempts.
3. Viva: conducted by a three-member panel made up of the Vice Chairman of the Committee, an Examiner and an Assessor. Maximum of 3 attempts.

If you fail the on-field assessment after 2 attempts or the viva after 3 attempts, you must restart the whole process, rewriting the written exam and passing the on-field assessment again. A certificate is issued only after all three parts are passed.

Extra requirements to apply for Qualified

• Age of majority and Canadian residency.
• A copy of your Intermediate certificate.
• Proof of your last four years of umpiring records.
• At least 7 higher-division games per season over the last three years.
• A letter from your local umpiring association or league.
• These are submitted by email to the contact listed on the Cricket Canada page.

The guidelines describe the on-field and viva components only under the Qualified level.

Source: https://cricketcanada.org/cricket-canada-officials-sub1/

Cricket Canada's Umpiring Examination Guidelines (cricketcanada.org) set these rules:

Returning or inactive umpires

• Inactive for 3 to 5 years: a refresher course is required.
• Inactive for 6 or more years: you must rewrite the exam, pass the on-field assessment and pass the viva.

Overseas qualifications

• Fully qualified umpires from full ICC member countries must pass the Cricket Canada Qualified Umpire exam.
• Partially qualified umpires from full member countries must write the Intermediate Umpire exam.
• Umpires from non-full-member countries are assessed individually by the National Committee for Umpires.

Regional contacts listed by Cricket Canada

• Eastern Canada: Rohan Shah, umpirerohan@outlook.com
• British Columbia: Harry Grewal, harry@thegrewals.ca
• Prairies: Amol Bhatt, umpire4cricket@gmail.com

Source: https://cricketcanada.org/cricket-canada-officials-sub1/

Under Law 36 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026), the striker is out LBW only if all five of these apply:

1. The bowler delivers a ball that is not a No ball.
2. The ball, if it is not intercepted without landing, first lands in line between wicket and wicket or on the off side of the striker's wicket.
3. The ball has not previously touched the bat, and the striker intercepts it, with or without landing, with any part of their person.
4. The point of impact, even if above the level of the bails, is between wicket and wicket. If the striker made no genuine attempt to play the ball with the bat, the point of impact can also be outside the line of the off stump.
5. But for the interception, the ball would have hit the wicket.

Interception details (36.2)

• Only the first interception is considered for points 3, 4 and 5.
• If the ball touches the person and bat at the same time, it counts as having first touched the bat.
• For point 5, assume the ball's path before interception would have continued after it, whether or not it might have landed afterwards.

Off side (36.3): the off side of the striker's wicket is decided by the striker's batting position at the moment the ball comes into play for that delivery.

As with every dismissal, an appeal is needed before you can give the batter out (Law 31.1).

Under Law 21 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026), an umpire calls and signals No ball in these cases:

• Feet (21.5): in the delivery stride the bowler's back foot does not land within and not touching the return crease on the side of their stated mode of delivery, or the front foot does not land with some part of the foot (grounded or raised) on the same side of the imaginary line joining the two middle stumps as that return crease and behind the popping crease. If the bowler's end umpire is not satisfied that all three conditions are met, they call No ball.
• Thrown or underarm (21.2, 21.3): the ball is thrown, or delivered underarm without prior agreement.
• Mode of delivery (21.1): the bowler changes their mode of delivery (right or left handed, over or round the wicket) without telling the umpire.
• Breaking the wicket (21.6): the bowler breaks the wicket at any time after the ball comes into play and before completing the stride after the delivery stride, unless the non-striker is dismissed under Law 38.3. This includes clothing or objects falling from the bowler that break the wicket.
• Bounces and rolls (21.7): the ball bounces more than once or rolls along the ground before reaching the popping crease, or first lands or later bounces wholly or partly off the pitch before reaching the line of the striker's wicket.
• Ball stopping or leaving the pitch (21.8): the ball comes to rest in front of the striker's wicket line, or is so far from the pitch that the striker would need to leave it to play. Call No ball and immediately Dead ball.
• Fielder touches the ball (21.9): the delivery touches a fielder's person before it touches the striker's bat or person or passes the wicket (except in the circumstances of Law 27.3). Call No ball and immediately Dead ball.
• Other Laws (21.10): Law 27.3 (wicket-keeper position), 28.4 (limit on on side fielders), 28.5 (fielders encroaching on the pitch), and 41.6, 41.7 and 41.8 (dangerous and unfair bowling).

Under Law 21 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

• Penalty: one run is awarded instantly on the call. Unless the call is revoked, it stands even if a batter is dismissed, and it is in addition to any other runs scored, any boundary allowance and any other penalty runs (21.14).
• Ball not dead: the ball does not become dead on the call of No ball (21.13).
• How it is scored: the one-run penalty is scored as a No ball extra and debited against the bowler. Runs completed by the batters or a boundary are credited to the striker if the ball was struck by the bat; otherwise they are scored as Byes or Leg byes (21.15).
• Over: a No ball does not count as one of the six balls of the over (21.16).
• Dismissals: after a No ball, neither batter can be out under any Law except Hit the ball twice (34), Obstructing the field (37) or Run out (38) (21.17).
• Wide: a No ball call overrides a Wide call at any time (21.12).
• Revoking: revoke a No ball call if Dead ball is called under Law 20.4.2.4, 20.4.2.5, 20.4.2.8 or 20.4.2.10, or if for any other reason the ball was deemed dead before the bowler released it (21.11.1). Revoke it if Dead ball is called under Law 20.4.2.6, unless the No ball was called for the bowler breaking the wicket under 21.6 (21.11.2).

Under Law 22 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

Judging a wide

• For a ball that is not a No ball, call Wide if it passes wide of where the striker is standing or has stood at any point after the ball came into play, and would also have passed wide of the striker standing in a normal batting position.
• The ball is wide unless it is sufficiently within reach for the striker to hit it with the bat by a normal cricket stroke.
• A delivery that, after landing, passes or would have passed over the head height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease is also wide.

When not to call it

• Do not call a wide if the striker, by moving, causes the ball to pass wide or brings it within reach of a normal stroke.
• Do not call a wide if the ball touches the striker's bat or person only as it passes the striker.
• Revoke a wide if there is contact between the ball and the striker's bat or person before it touches a fielder, or if the delivery is called a No ball. A No ball call overrides Wide at any time.

Calling it: call and signal Wide as soon as the ball passes the striker's wicket. It counts as a wide from the instant the bowler entered their delivery stride.

Penalty and effect

• One run is awarded instantly and stands even if a batter is dismissed. It is in addition to any other runs scored or boundary allowance.
• The ball is not dead on the call.
• A wide does not count as one of the six balls of the over.
• After a wide, a batter can be out only by Hit wicket, Obstructing the field, Run out or Stumped.

Under Law 41.6 and 41.7 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

Short deliveries that land (41.6)

• Dangerous: the bowler's end umpire considers that, taking the striker's skill into account, the delivery's speed, length, height and direction are likely to inflict physical injury. Protective equipment worn by the striker is disregarded.
• Unfair: short deliveries that repeatedly pass above the head height of the striker standing upright at the crease.
• First time: call and signal No ball. When the ball is dead, caution the bowler (a first and final warning that applies throughout the innings) and inform the other umpire, the fielding captain and the batters.
• Any further such delivery by that bowler in the innings: call and signal No ball, and when the ball is dead direct the fielding captain to suspend the bowler immediately. The bowler cannot bowl again in that innings. Another bowler completes the over (not one who bowled the previous over or may bowl the next).

Deliveries that pass above waist height without landing (41.7)

• Any delivery that passes, or would have passed, without landing, above the waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease is unfair. Call and signal No ball every time.
• It is also dangerous if you consider there is a risk of injury to the striker, judged on speed, height, direction, the striker's skill and how often it happens. Then, when the ball is dead, repeat the No ball signal to the scorers and caution the bowler (first and final warning for the innings). A further dangerous delivery means No ball and suspension from bowling for the rest of the innings.
• If you consider the bowler deliberately bowled such a delivery, skip the caution: call No ball, direct the captain to suspend the bowler immediately, and the bowler cannot bowl again in the match.

The warning sequences in 41.6 and 41.7 are independent of each other. After a suspension, the umpires inform the batters and the batting captain and report the occurrence after the match to the offending side's Executive and any Governing Body responsible for the match.

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

Thrown or underarm delivery (Law 21.2 and 21.3)

• A delivery is fair in respect of the arm if, once the bowler's arm has reached shoulder level in the delivery swing, the elbow joint is not straightened partially or completely until the ball has left the hand. Flexing or rotating the wrist is allowed.
• The striker's end umpire has primary responsibility for judging this, but the bowler's end umpire may also call No ball if they consider the ball was thrown.
• Underarm bowling is not permitted except by special agreement before the match.
• First offence: call and signal No ball. When the ball is dead, the bowler's end umpire warns the bowler (a first and final warning that applies throughout the innings), tells the fielding captain the reason, and informs the batters.
• Further offence by that bowler in the innings: call and signal No ball, then direct the fielding captain to suspend the bowler immediately. Another bowler completes the over (not one who bowled the previous over or may bowl the next). The suspended bowler cannot bowl again in that innings.
• The umpires together report the occurrence after the match to the offending side's Executive and any Governing Body responsible for the match.

Deliberate front-foot No ball (Law 41.8)

• If you consider the bowler delivered a deliberate front-foot No ball, immediately call and signal No ball. When the ball is dead, direct the fielding captain to suspend the bowler immediately and inform the other umpire.
• The suspended bowler cannot bowl again in the match. Another bowler completes the over, and the umpires report the occurrence after the match.

Under Law 31 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

• Appeal needed: neither umpire may give a batter out, even if the batter is out under the Laws, unless a fielder appeals (31.1). A batter who is out may still leave the wicket without an appeal.
• Timing: an appeal is valid only if made before the bowler begins their run up (or action, if there is no run up) for the next ball, and before Time has been called. The call of Over does not invalidate an appeal made before the start of the next over, provided Time has not been called (31.3).
• "How's That?": covers all ways of being out (31.4).
• Who answers: the striker's end umpire answers appeals for Hit wicket, Stumped and Run out at the wicket-keeper's end. The bowler's end umpire answers all other appeals (31.5).
• Doubt: if you are unsure about something the other umpire may have seen better, consult them, then give the decision. If doubt remains after consultation, the decision is Not out (31.6).
• Wrongly leaving: if a batter who has not been given out leaves the wicket under a reasonable misapprehension of being out, either umpire calls and signals Dead ball and recalls the batter (31.7).
• Withdrawal: the fielding captain may withdraw an appeal only with the consent of the umpire in whose jurisdiction it falls, and before the ball comes into play for the next delivery (31.8).
• Changing a decision: an umpire may alter a decision if the change is made promptly and does not contradict Law 20.6 (Dead ball not to be revoked). Otherwise, once made, a decision is final (2.12).

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

Signals made while the ball is in play

• Dead ball: cross and re-cross the wrists below the waist.
• No ball: extend one arm horizontally.
• Out: raise an index finger above the head. If it is not out, call "Not out".
• Wide: extend both arms horizontally.

When the ball is dead, the bowler's end umpire repeats these signals (except Out) to the scorers.

Signals made to the scorers only when the ball is dead

• Boundary 4: wave an arm from side to side, finishing with the arm across the chest.
• Boundary 6: raise both arms above the head.
• Bye: raise an open hand above the head.
• Leg bye: touch a raised knee with the hand.
• Short run: bend one arm upwards and touch the nearer shoulder with the fingertips.
• New ball: hold the ball above the head.
• Revoke last signal: touch both shoulders, each with the opposite 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.
• Commencement of Last hour: point to a raised wrist with the other hand.

The bowler's end umpire gives these, except Short run, which the umpire at the end where the short running occurred signals. The bowler's end umpire is responsible for the final Short run signal and for telling the scorers how many runs to record if more than one run is short.

Acknowledgement: the umpire must wait until each signal to the scorers has been separately acknowledged by a scorer before allowing play to proceed (Law 2.13.2). If several signals are used, they are given in the order the events occurred.