Umpire Signals in Cricket
| Signal | Description |
|---|---|
| Out | The umpire raises their index finger to signal that the batsman is dismissed, either by being bowled, caught, leg before wicket (LBW), stumped, hit wicket, or run out. |
| Wide | The umpire extends both arms horizontally to signal a wide delivery, indicating that the ball is too far from the batsman’s reach to be considered a legitimate delivery. A wide result in an extra run for the batting team. |
| No Ball | The umpire raises one arm horizontally to signal a no-ball, signifying that the bowler has overstepped the crease or committed another bowling infringement. A no-ball grants the batting team an additional run and an opportunity to score without the risk of getting out. |
| Byes | The umpire raises one arm and moves it in a sweeping motion to signal byes, indicating that the batsman did not make contact with the ball, and the batsmen ran additional runs without any runs attributed to the batsman’s account. |
| Leg Byes | The umpire raises one leg to signal leg byes, suggesting that the ball hit the batsman’s body or protective equipment, and the batsmen ran additional runs without any runs credited to the batsman. |
| Four | The umpire extends one arm and waves it in a forward direction to signal a boundary four, indicating that the ball crossed the boundary after hitting the ground without being caught or stopped by the fielding team. |
| Six | The umpire raises both arms above their head to signal a boundary six, indicating that the ball cleared the boundary without being caught or stopped by the fielding team. |
| Dead Ball | The umpire crosses both arms in front of their chest to signal a dead ball, signifying that the ball is not in play and that no runs or dismissals can occur during that delivery. The dead ball signal is used when there is an interruption or unforeseen circumstance during play. |
Explanation:
In cricket, umpires use specific signals to communicate decisions and events during a match. When a batsman is dismissed, the umpire raises their index finger to signal the batsman is “out.” A horizontal extension of both arms indicates a “wide” delivery, which awards the batting team an extra run. When the bowler oversteps the crease or commits a bowling infringement, the umpire raises one arm horizontally to signal a “no-ball,” granting the batting team an additional run and a free hit.
The umpire raises one arm and sweeps it in a motion to signal “byes” when the ball misses the batsman and the batsmen run additional runs. Similarly, when the ball hits the batsman’s body or protective equipment, the umpire raises one leg to signal “leg byes.” For boundaries, the umpire extends one arm and waves it forward for a “four” and raises both arms above their head for a “six.”
Additionally, the umpire crosses both arms in front of their chest to signal a “dead ball,” indicating that the ball is not in play and that no runs or dismissals can occur during that delivery. The dead ball signal is used in cases of interruptions or unforeseen circumstances during play. These umpire signals play a crucial role in maintaining clear communication between the on-field umpires, players, and spectators, ensuring the smooth flow of the game.