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[TGB1997]

I've had a few situations in the past in which it seems that an umpire has compensated a bowler by giving a decision thats either not out or controversial as out as they realise they had made a mistake prior to this.

I was playing in a 2XI premier league game last season (I'm a left arm orthodox spin bowler) and was told to bowl stump to stump aiming for around middle and off. Whilst bowling this line I was hitting both batsmen on the pads a lot with some people worth an appeal. During a spell of two overs I hit the same batsmen on the pads in front of middle on three occasions. The first two were absolutely plumb and ween't given by the oppositions umpire (the batsmen was on 47* at the time and was on of their better players). However in my next over I once again hit him on the pads this time a bit further towards the off side, I didn't expect this to be given as it looked the least out but appealed anyway. To my amazement the umpires finger this time went up. I was surprised, the batsmen was surprised and my teammates were quite surprised as well. The more I think about it I believe more that the umpire realised that he had made a mistake and as result gave a more controversial decision. I won't complain I got him eventually but it was something that has made me curious.   

I was wondering has anyone else experienced something similar? or any umpires knowingly done this?

[Mr_Orange]

We see this all the time in our league. It's one of the main areas of complaint, that the umpires are too inconsistent. We don't have any problems with them not giving anything but then don't give something that's really not out because you 'feel bad'. It happens far too often, they just don't want their marks to be low and have to go through the process that follows.

[edge]

Definitely, game a couple of years ago I was batting, the oppo went up twice for caught behind, it was close but I wasn't sure, umpire didn't give it. Cue half an hour of filthy abuse for me, then I took a big stride outside off and left a back of a length ball that ducked in a little. I'm 6'3" and was standing straight upright and it's hit me on the thigh pad, not to mention I'm a good foot outside off. Never seen an umpire's finger go up so quickly. Happens all the time, even in pro cricket/football, when umpires realise they've made a mistake and subconsciously want to make up for it. Even had the odd dodgy lbw off blokes umpiring their own team sometimes.

[WalkingWicket37]

Ah LBWs, we have a 3 appeal theory.
If a batsman has 2 good appeals given not out against them, the 3rd is almost always given. May just be a coincidence but if you look for it you may notice a pattern from pannel umpires

[TGB1997]

Ah LBWs, we have a 3 appeal theory.
If a batsman has 2 good appeals given not out against them, the 3rd is almost always given. May just be a coincidence but if you look for it you may notice a pattern from pannel umpires

This is a very good point now that I think about it. The higher the standard I've played the more umpires are giving LBW decisions when players are being caught out that way

[Mr_Orange]

Ah LBWs, we have a 3 appeal theory.
If a batsman has 2 good appeals given not out against them, the 3rd is almost always given. May just be a coincidence but if you look for it you may notice a pattern from pannel umpires

Absolutely. It's not a coincidence, we see it all the time. Always know as a bowler that they'll give you one eventually. Maybe unfair to pressure them but if they're going to be that inconsistent I'm going to appeal for anything and everything I can.

[TGB1997]

Absolutely. It's not a coincidence, we see it all the time. Always know as a bowler that they'll give you one eventually. Maybe unfair to pressure them but if they're going to be that inconsistent I'm going to appeal for anything and everything I can.

I agree with this, from playing at a higher level in recent seasons I've noticed that we appeal much more often and therefore we tend to seem like we are putting pressure on the umpire but in reality its just the norm

[Butterfingerz]

I've been umpiring for 2 seasons and I'm told I'm quite well regarded around the circuit. This is probably because I'm strong enough in character to stand up for myself against what ever is thrown at me rather than listening to bowlers, fielders and batsmen opinions. Believe it or not players do respect this....in the end

Now and again you hear stories of umpires doing these things however I must say the newer guys are totally against it and standards are improving this is largely to do with education and in my league to new umpires being partnered / mentored with umpires of strong character.

As I have moved up levels (now on the Yorkshire Premier league panel) I have noticed more and more players trying to run the game but usually in a very crafty way and can see why it would be easy for an umpire who is standing in a field for 7 hours to become a little intimidated when a number of aggressive appeals are being made in his direction together with the constant questioning of everything he does.

I would suggest to all players that a certain level of empathy towards the umpires be used, no umpire at any standard will get every decision correct and any umpire telling you otherwise is delusional. If players are more understanding of this then umpires will begin to get more decisions correct and a fairer game for all.

[TGB1997]

I've been umpiring for 2 seasons and I'm told I'm quite well regarded around the circuit. This is probably because I'm strong enough in character to stand up for myself against what ever is thrown at me rather than listening to bowlers, fielders and batsmen opinions. Believe it or not players do respect this....in the end

Now and again you hear stories of umpires doing these things however I must say the newer guys are totally against it and standards are improving this is largely to do with education and in my league to new umpires being partnered / mentored with umpires of strong character.

As I have moved up levels (now on the Yorkshire Premier league panel) I have noticed more and more players trying to run the game but usually in a very crafty way and can see why it would be easy for an umpire who is standing in a field for 7 hours to become a little intimidated when a number of aggressive appeals are being made in his direction together with the constant questioning of everything he does.

I would suggest to all players that a certain level of empathy towards the umpires be used, no umpire at any standard will get every decision correct and any umpire telling you otherwise is delusional. If players are more understanding of this then umpires will begin to get more decisions correct and a fairer game for all.

I totally agree with you, the fielding team should not be intimidating the umpires like the Indians and Australians have been known to do over the years. I personally have a lot of respect for umpires as during a Sunday game last season I had to umpire and there was an LBW decision where from my end it looked like the ball landed straight on the batsmen's boot in front of the stumps however the keeper and slips could see a small bit of contact from the back of the bat that was very light so therefore the noise was so low I couldn't hear it. The difficulty of being an umpire is trying to interpret the game in one take and from one angle and as shown in this example small things can go unnoticed which frustrate the players.

[procricket]

My take on umpires are without them cricket does not exists


And like players we/they  all make mistakes but it is all part of the game

[Butterfingerz]

I've a game tomorrow at Trent Bridge (Notts v's Leic's) I'm standing with a first class umpire and fully expect to be leant on by the pro's for a few easy wickets....lets see!

[procricket]

Good luck Rich lad

[TGB1997]

My take on umpires are without them cricket does not exists


And like players we/they  all make mistakes but it is all part of the game

Definitely umpires are all human too (although some people would argue they are from a mad planet for standing in the sun for hours without actually playing). I have a lot of respect for umpires and often have a chat with them whilst batting at the non strikers end and when I'm bowling at the start and end of overs.

[TGB1997]

I've a game tomorrow at Trent Bridge (Notts v's Leic's) I'm standing with a first class umpire and fully expect to be leant on by the pro's for a few easy wickets....lets see!

Good luck 

[Seniorplayer]

Happens all the time especially when the bowler knows he's been hard done by and then screams his next appeal into the umpires ear.