Umpires plays a important role in cricket. They hold the authority of sending back a batter to the pavilion, making the bowler bowl a delivery and even bringing back the dismiss batter if they feel that they should be.
So, They stand on the cricket ground, a lot of fans feel that an umpire’s job is really easy.
But today we will explore the five most important pieces of equipment that cricket umpires use
Ball Gauge
The cricket ball’s shape is check using the ball gauge.
No boundary is big enough when like of Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant take the helm.
The ball’s physical condition is also put to the test.
There are instances where the ball deforms as a result of the beating it takes.
The umpires utilise a ball gauge in these situations to determine whether or not the ball is playable.
The ball is typically design to fit through the ring, if it fits, it is useful, if not, it is replace.
For balls of two different sizes, there are two rings, the 142 g and 156 g weight options.
The Ball Counter
The number of overs and balls bowled are count with this tool.
The umpire clicks a button on either side as soon as a ball is bowled in order to keep track of the game.
But this little gadget underwent a massive transformation.
The umpires use to keep six marbles in one hand and switch one to the other as soon as a ball was bowled in the old days.
The over would be deem finish until every marble from one hand had made it to the other. \
A variety of electronic counters are also readily available today.
Light-o-Meter
A light-o-meter is an extremely important tool, particularly when it comes to Test matches.
The apparatus gauges how much light is there (in lumens).
Before being distribut to the umpires, all light-o-meters must be calibrate consistently in accordance with ICC regulations.
The outfield and centre of the field, which is typically the pitch, are typically check by the umpires.
In the absence of ideal lighting, the umpires may, following consultation with each other, permit just spinners to bowl further and halt fast bowlers until the light quality is deem safe for the same.
While, during Test matches, poor lighting has a pain in the neck for many sides.
There have instances where the bowling team just need one wicket to win the game on the last day, but the day was cut short due to poor lighting, resulting in a draw.
Walkie-Talkie
The on-field umpires utilise the walkie-talkie to communicate with the third umpire and the match referee.
The Decision Review System has suddenly given this instrument a special meaning (DRS).
A microphone and headphones are frequently use by umpires.
This accomplishes two goals.
They can hear any nicks from the microphone that is fasten to the stumps thanks to this.
It enables hands-free communication with the match referee and third umpire.
Protective Shield
Umpire safety became a rising worry as attacking batsmen and powerful hitting gain popularity.
Bruce Oxenford created the protective barrier to address this problem.
It is primarily use to protect the umpire from harm when batters like Yuvraj Singh take the initiative and make it a point to destroy the bowler’s morale and, as a result, the umpire if he happens to be in the line of fire.
It is made of clear Perspex.
