Cricket Umpires: Roles, Signals and How Decisions Are Made
Cricket umpires are the sole on-field decision makers in a Test match. Understanding what they control — from LBW to wides, run-outs to DRS referrals — explains how the game's authority works.
The Two On-Field Umpires
Cricket is controlled by two on-field umpires during a match. The 'bowler's end umpire' stands at the non-striker's end and is primarily responsible for LBW decisions, no-balls, wides, and adjudging catches at the wicket. The 'square leg umpire' stands 90 degrees to the pitch and is primarily responsible for run-outs at the striker's end, stumpings, and catches to the leg side. In international cricket, a third umpire in a TV review room assists with technology-aided decisions.
Umpire Signals
Umpires communicate decisions through standardised hand signals visible to scorers, players and spectators. The most important signals are: Out — finger raised above shoulder height to give a dismissal; Four — arm waved side to side at hip level to signal a boundary; Six — both arms raised above the head; Wide — both arms extended horizontally; No-ball — one arm extended horizontally; Dead ball — both arms crossed in front at chest level; Bye — one hand raised above head; Leg Bye — one leg raised and hand touching raised knee.
The Third Umpire and DRS
The third umpire watches the match on multiple camera feeds and can be called upon by on-field umpires to review catches, run-outs and stumpings. Under the DRS system, teams can also appeal to the third umpire directly by requesting a review of an LBW decision or a catch. The third umpire uses Hawk-Eye ball-tracking, Snicko and Ultra-Edge (sound and vibration detection), and multiple camera angles. The third umpire's decision is final once the review is concluded.
Famous Umpires
Dickie Bird of England was Test cricket's most celebrated umpire of the 1970s-1990s — known for his nervous energy on the field and his deep respect for the game. Simon Taufel of Australia won the ICC Umpire of the Year award five consecutive times from 2004 to 2008. Today's elite umpires go through extensive training and testing within ICC's Elite Panel system — reaching international cricket as an umpire is as selective a process as playing for your country.
Frequently asked questions
How many umpires are there in cricket?
An international cricket match has three umpires — two on-field umpires and one third umpire in a review room with television access. The on-field umpires make live decisions on dismissals, wides, no-balls and other events. The third umpire reviews close decisions for catches, run-outs and stumpings, and adjudicates DRS reviews when teams challenge on-field LBW or caught-behind decisions.
How does a cricket umpire signal a wide?
A cricket umpire signals a wide by extending both arms horizontally to each side at shoulder height — making a 'T' shape with their body. A wide is called when the ball passes too far to the off side or leg side of the batsman for them to play a normal stroke. It results in one extra run for the batting team and the ball is re-bowled — the delivery does not count toward the over.