AboutGary S Nichol Expertise General or specific questions on the MCC Laws of Cricket, which have changed recently. Also general question on the English First-Class game. Not too good with cricket in other countries, as I am English!
Experience Qualified Member - Umpire of the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers (ACU&S). This catagory of membership, the highest possible for a cricket umpire, requires taking two written exams, an oral exam, two full years of experience and then approval of the application for membership by a committee. I have been umpiring full-time for the past 5 years
Organizations The Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers (United Kingdom)
Awards and Honors 1997 ACU&S Tom Smith Award
1999 ACU&S Arthur Sims Award
Question In a recent club limited overs cup tie the square leg umpire signalled no-ball in the bowler's delivery stride and the batsman launched into the ball and hit it for six. The fielding captain asked why the no-ball was called and was told it was because there were too few fielders in the circle. The captain pointed out that, in fact, there were the correct number of fielders. The umpire admitted his error and apologised. He rescinded the no-ball, so there was no penalty run and no extra ball. However the six runs were allowed to stand. Was this the correct decision by the umpire? Incidentally, the fielding side lost by five runs!
Answer Although the Laws allow an umpire to change his mind with regard to a dismissal they do not apply in other areas of Law. Much like accidentally calling over after five balls (you can't say "oh well, let's have another ball"), a no-ball cannot be rescinded once the bowler has let go of the ball. This applies to any type of no-ball and it doesn't matter if the umpire realises he is incorrect. Imagine if the batsman had missed the ball and been bowled.. he hears "NO BALL" and assumes he cannot be out, and tries to slog the ball. He might well have played a different shot had there been no call, so to withdraw the no-ball and then give him out is unfair. This is why a no-ball, or a wide, or anything like that, cannot be changed once declared so by an umpire. Thankfully in this case the difference in score was not one run!
