Square Leg Umpire in Cricket Explained
The role and responsibilities of the square leg umpire, and how their position differs from the bowler's end umpire.
What Is the Square Leg Umpire?
The square leg umpire (also called the leg umpire or striker's end umpire) stands square of the wicket at the batting end, approximately level with the popping crease and in line with the striker's position. The two match umpires alternate between the bowler's end and the square leg position after each over.
Primary Responsibilities
- Stumping decisions: the square leg umpire has the clearest view of the keeper breaking the stumps with the batter out of the crease.
- Run-out decisions at the striker's end: the umpire is positioned to watch the crease line and the fielder's throw.
- Short run calls: the umpire watches whether the striker grounds their bat behind the crease when turning for a second or third run.
- Obstructing the field appeals at the batting end.
- Hit wicket: the umpire watches whether the batter has dislodged a bail with their body or equipment.
What the Square Leg Umpire Does NOT Decide
LBW decisions are the exclusive domain of the bowler's end umpire, who is on the line of the delivery. The square leg umpire cannot give LBW out and is not consulted on those decisions. Similarly, catches, no-balls, and wides are called by the bowler's end umpire as the primary decision-maker.
Position on the Field
The umpire stands slightly behind square leg — the Laws require them to be positioned so they do not obstruct the striker's or bowler's view. For a right-handed batter, they stand to the leg side; when the batter changes (e.g., to a left-hander), the umpire moves to the off side to maintain a square angle to the wicket.
Frequently asked questions
Does the square leg umpire swap with the bowler's end umpire?
Yes — at the end of every over, the square leg umpire moves to the bowler's end (now the opposite end of the pitch), and the former bowler's end umpire takes the square leg position.
Can the square leg umpire give a no-ball?
The square leg umpire can give a no-ball for a high full toss (beamer) from their end, and in some cases for overstepping if the primary umpire misses it — but overstepping no-balls are primarily the bowler's end umpire's call.
Why does the umpire sometimes move during the bowler's run-up?
The umpire may move slightly to ensure they have a direct sightline to the crease for stumping or run-out decisions and are not obstructed by the batter's movements.