The Implications of a Bowler Closing the Umpire’s View in Cricket

In the game of cricket, every detail matters. One such critical detail is how a bowler's follow-through can impact the umpire's view. If a bowler's actions obstruct the umpire's view, it can lead to several potential outcomes depending on the situation, ranging from no ball, to discretionary calls by the umpire, and even fair deliveries.

No Ball

One of the most significant consequences of a bowler's follow-through obstructing the umpire's view is the no ball call. If the bowler's actions clearly violate the rules, such as overstepping the crease, the umpire may still call a no ball. However, if the obstruction is due to the bowler's follow-through, the umpire may also consider the call based on the context and discretion. For instance, in the case of a front-foot no ball, the umpire might not be able to make a correct judgment if their view is obstructed, leading to a no ball call.

Umpire's Discretion

The umpire, being responsible for making decisions based on the laws of the game, has the discretion to call a no ball if they feel the bowler is deliberately obstructing their view. Such behavior is often considered unsportsmanlike. The umpire may also give the bowler a warning, which could be seen as a form of disciplinary action. It's important to note that the umpire's decision is based on the intention behind the obstruction, not just the unintentional blocking of the view.

Fair Delivery

In some cases, the bowler's actions may be within the rules, and the delivery is fair. In these instances, there may be no consequence. The umpire might simply need to adjust their position to maintain a clear view. Additionally, in modern cricket, technology assists in decision-making even if the umpire's view is obstructed. For example, in some formats of the game like international cricket, ball-tracking systems can help ensure correct judgments.

Personal Experience

As a professional umpire, I have encountered this situation a few times. One instance involved a slow bowler who delivered the ball that pitched on off stump and held its line to a batsman playing back. At the critical moment, the bowler took a further stride and spun around to appeal for lbw. I quietly informed him that based on what I had seen, it was very likely plumb lbw. However, without a clear view of the delivery, particularly the point of contact between the ball and the batsman's pads, I could not give the decision. This scenario illustrates the importance of maintaining a clear view and the potential impact of a bowler's actions on the umpire's judgment.

Another incident involved a similar scenario, where the bowler's follow-through obstructed my view, preventing me from confirming if the ball was lbw. I made it clear that without a clear view, the batsman would be called not out. Subsequently, the batsman made a conscious effort to ensure he did not come into my line of sight during the delivery.

In conclusion, the obstruction of the umpire's view during a bowler's follow-through can have significant implications. Understanding and respecting the rules, as well as the principles of fair play, can help maintain clear communication between the bowler and the umpire, ensuring the game flows smoothly and decisions are accurate.