James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1899

2 1 2 L I L L YW H I T E ' SC R I C K E T E R SA N N U A L. I N S T R U C T I O N S T OU M P I R E S . These instructions , drawnup in 1892 bythe Committee of the M.C.C. , are intended as anappendix to the Lawsof theG a m e. F I T N E S SO F G R O U N D . L A W43. A tthe commencementof a matchthe umpires maybe appealed to by either side as to the fitness of the groundfor play. Should they not agree play will notcommenceuntil they are agreed . Incase of interruption from rain, as soon as the rain has ceased the umpires shall immediately, without further instruction , inspect the wicket ,unaccompanied byanyof the players , anddecide uponits fitness . Should it prove unfit they shall continue to inspect at intervals , until they decide that it is fit for play, whenthey shall call uponthe players to resumetheg a m e. Thegroundis unfit for play whenwater stands on the surface , or whenit is so wet, muddy, or slippery as to deprive the bowlers of a reasonable foothold , or the fieldsmen of thepowerof free movement. T h eumpires are not to be biassed by the opinions of either side , still less are they to allow themselves to be influenced by the impatience of the spectators for a resumption ofthe game, and are not to be induced by the public interest in a particular matchto declare the ground fit for play, unless they would consider that ground fit under any circumstances . F I T N E S SOF L I G H TF O RP L A Y. Theumpires maydecide , on appeal , that there is not sufficient light for play. Should the light improve before the time for drawing stumps they shall , without waiting for instructions , call uponthe players to resume the game. L A W47. A n umpire is only justified in appealing to the other umpire whenhe is unable to decide , owing to his having been prevented from seeing the occurrence on whichtheappealis based. H eis notto appealto theother umpirein cases o nwhich e could give adecision , merely because heis unwilling to give that decision . If he be in any doubt, the principle laid downin L a w43, " That the existing state of things shall con- tinue," shall be followed , and, in consequence , the decision should be in favour of the b a t s m a n . L A W48. The special attention of umpires is called to this law, which directs themto call " noball," unless absolutely satisfied of the fairness of the delivery . Umpiresshould not allow themselves to be undulyinfluenced by appeals from such of the field whowerenot in a position to forma judgmenton the point appealed upon, orby tricks-such as throwing up the ball , on appealing for a catch at the wicket, without waiting for the decision . Umpires, being the sole judges of fair or unfair play, should rememberthat such devices are obviously unfair , andare not in accordance with the spirit in whichcricket shouldbeplayed. T h eL a w so f S i n g l eW i c k e t. The Laws are, where they apply , the same as the above , with the following alterations and additions . 1.-One wicket shall be pitched , as in Law 6; with a bowling stump opposite to it , at a distance of 22 yards . Thebowling crease shall be in a line withthe bowling stump, anddrawnaccording to L a w7. 2.-W h e nthere shall be less than five players on a side , bounds shall be placed 22 yards each in a line from the off andleg stump. 3. T h eball mustbe hit before the boundsto entitle the striker to a run, whichruncannot be obtained unless he touch the bowling stumpor crease in a line with his bat, or somepart of his person , or go beyond them, and return to the popping crease . 4 . W h e nthe striker shall hit the ball one of his feet must be on the ground , behind the popping crease , otherwise the umpire shall call " no hit ," andnorunshall be scored. 5.-W h e nthere shall be less than five players on a side , neither byes , leg- byes, nor overthrows shall be allowed , nor shall the striker be caught out behind the wicket , nor stumped. 6. Thefieldsman must return the ball so that it shall cross the ground between the wicket and the bowling stump, or between the bowling stump and the bounds; the striker mayrun till the ball be so returned . 7. Afterthe striker shall havem a d eonerun, if he starts again he must touch thebowling stump or crease , and turn before the ball cross the ground toentitleh i mto another.