There just wasn’t room for this important topic in yesterday’s Fireside – it deserves its own edition…
RUNNERS:
Umpires will be aware that local competition rules (in our case, the VSDCA Match Rules as set out in the VSDCA Handbook) override the Laws in specific instances. There are many examples of this – length of innings, nominated numbers of players etc.; however where the VSDCA Match Rules are silent, the Laws operate. A case in point is the use of runners for injured batters.
Runners are allowed under the conditions set out in Law 25 – note that the authority to allow or disallow a runner is solely in the hands of the umpire/s.
The presence of a runner or runners calls for adjustments to umpires’ filed technique. These are discussed below, after the relevant parts od Law 25:
Law 25.5 Runners
25.5.1 The umpires shall allow a runner for a batter if they are satisfied
25.5.1.1 that the batter has sustained an injury that affects his/her ability to run and that this occurred during the match.
25.5.1.2 for any other wholly acceptable reason.
In all other circumstances, a runner is not allowed.
25.5.2 A runner shall
25.5.2.1 be a member of the batting side.
25.5.2.2 if possible, have already completed his/her innings; when this is not possible, if circumstances change such that a dismissed batter can act as runner, then the runner must be changed immediately.
25.5.2.3 be changed only with the consent of the umpires.
25.5.2.4 wear external protective equipment equivalent to that worn by the batter for whom he/she runs and shall carry a bat.
25.5.2.5 not have any unserved Penalty time as described in Law 24.2.7 (Fielder absent or leaving the field of play).
25.5.3 A batter’s runner is subject to the Laws and will be regarded as a batter except where there are special provisions for his/her role as a runner. See Law 30.2 (Which is a batter’s ground).
25.6 Dismissal and conduct of a batter and his/her runner
25.6.1 A batter who has a runner will suffer the penalty for any infringement of the Laws by the runner as if he/she, the batter, had been responsible for the infringement. In particular he/she will be out if the runner is out under either of Laws 37 (Obstructing the field) or 38 (Run out).
25.6.2 When a batter who has a runner is the striker he/she remains subject to the Laws and will be liable to the penalties that any infringement of them demands. In the case of Run out and Stumped, however, special provisions, set out in 25.6.3, 25.6.4 and 25.6.5, apply to him/her as a striker who has a runner.
25.6.3 When a batter who has a runner is the striker, his/her ground is always at the wicket-keeper’s end.
25.6.4 If the striker who has a runner is in his/her ground, and the runner is out of his/her ground at the wicket-keeper’s end when the wicket is fairly broken at that end, the conditions of Law 38 (Run out) shall apply.
25.6.5 If the striker who has a runner is out of his/her ground and the wicket at the wicket-keeper’s end is fairly broken, the striker is liable to be out under Laws 38 (Run out) or 39 (Stumped). If the runner is also out of his/her ground at the wicket-keeper’s end, then only Law 38 (Run out) can apply.
25.6.6 If a striker who has a runner is dismissed as in 25.6.5, the umpire shall
- disallow all runs to the batting side
- return any not out batter to his/her original end
- award any 5-run Penalty that is applicable.
25.6.7 When a batter who has a runner is not the striker, he/she
25.6.7.1 remains subject to Law 37 (Obstructing the field) but is otherwise out of the match.
25.6.7.2 shall stand where directed by the striker’s end umpire so as not to interfere with play.
25.6.7.3 will be liable, even though out of the match as in 25.6.7.1, to any penalty demanded by the Laws should he/she commit any act of unfair play.
25.7 Restriction on the striker’s runner
25.7.1 Once the ball comes into play, the runner for an injured batter who is the striker shall have part of his/her person or bat grounded behind the popping crease until the ball reaches the striker or passes the popping crease, whichever is the sooner.
25.7.2 If the striker’s end umpire considers the runner for an injured striker to be in breach of this restriction then, if the ball does not become dead for any other reason, he/she shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as the ball reaches the boundary or at the completion of the first run. However, he/she shall delay the call of Dead ball to allow the opportunity for a catch to be completed.
The bowler’s end umpire shall
- disallow all runs to the batting side
- return any not out batter to his/her original end
- award any 5-run Penalty that is applicable except for Penalty runs under Law 28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side).
Notes on field technique:
The umpire must be in position to judge whether the runner is in his ground, both for short runs and possible run outs. Also, the runner must not be a hindrance to the fielders.
The accepted positionings are:
Umpire goes to point, square of the wicket on the off side*; and
The runner or injured batter (when not on strike) goes to square leg.
The umpire at the bowler’s end must ALWAYS make position for run outs to the side where his partner is positioned. This ensures that he is never in the impossible situation of trying to judge when the batter is running behind him.
· the positions may be reversed for any good reason, such as needing better light angles to observe the crease.
All of this may sound complicated, but it really is logical. Run through the conditions with your partner so that each of you is equipped to deal with the situation should it arise today.
And please, don’t forget to have fun!
Neill Murray
VSDCA Appointment Manager
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