Cricket Umpire Signals: Every Gesture Explained, From the Wide to the Six
Cricket umpires communicate decisions to scorers and spectators through a set of standardised hand signals. There are 12 primary umpire signals: six, four, wide, no-ball, out (raised finger), bye, leg bye, dead ball, new ball, short run, TV review (refer to third umpire), and penalty runs. Some signals are held until acknowledged by the scorers. Umpires stand at two positions: the standing umpire (square leg) and the bowler's end umpire. The third umpire reviews decisions via DRS.
Cricket umpires communicate their decisions through standardised signals that are visible to scorers (to ensure the official scorecard is accurate) and to spectators (to explain what has been called). Some signals are maintained until acknowledged by the scorers (visible at the scoreboard or in the scorer's area).
The Primary Signals
- OUT (raised index finger): the umpire raises one index finger above head level. The most dramatic signal in cricket — indicates the batter is dismissed.
- SIX: both arms raised above the head, palms facing forward. Indicates the ball has been hit over the boundary without touching the ground — 6 runs scored.
- FOUR (boundary): one arm raised and waved toward the boundary. Indicates the ball has reached the boundary (on the ground) — 4 runs scored.
- WIDE: both arms extended horizontally to the sides, parallel to the ground. Indicates the delivery was too wide for the batsman to play — 1 extra run, delivery replayed.
- NO BALL: one arm extended horizontally to the side. Indicates an illegal delivery — 1 extra run, delivery replayed, free hit (T20/ODI) follows.
- BYE: one arm raised above the head, palm open toward scorers. Indicates the ball passed the batsman and wicketkeeper without contact — runs are byes.
- LEG BYE: one hand touches the raised knee. Indicates the ball hit the batsman's body (not the bat) — runs are leg byes.
- SHORT RUN: arm with closed fist taps the shoulder. Indicates the batting side did not complete a full run — the short run is not counted.
- DEAD BALL: both wrists crossed below the waist, then uncrossed (like a 'no' gesture). Indicates play should stop immediately.
- NEW BALL: the umpire holds the new ball above their head. Signals to scorers that a new ball has been requested.
- PENALTY RUNS (5 runs): touching one shoulder with the tips of the opposite hand's fingers. Indicates 5 penalty runs awarded (for fielding or batting side breach).
- DRS REVIEW (TV referral): the umpire makes a rectangular frame with their fingers (mimicking a TV screen). Indicates the decision is being referred to the third umpire.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the most famous umpires in cricket history, and what controversies have shaped the evolution of neutral umpires and DRS?
Famous umpires and controversies in cricket: history and evolution. Dickie Bird (England, 1973–1996): the most beloved umpire in cricket history. Known for meticulous accuracy and distinctive personality (eccentric field placements, slow over-rates, personal superstitions). Gave more not-outs than any contemporary umpire but was rarely questioned. His retirement match (Headingley, 1996) drew a standing ovation from both teams. Darrell Hair (Australia, 1992–2011): the most controversial umpire in modern cricket history. Called Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing in Melbourne in 1995 — the most controversial no-ball decision ever. In the 2006 Oval Test (Pakistan vs England), Hair and Billy Doctrove found the Pakistani team responsible for ball-tampering; Pakistan refused to take the field for the post-tea session. England was awarded the match by forfeit — the first forfeited Test in history. Hair was subsequently removed from the ICC panel under pressure and controversy. Steve Bucknor (West Indies, 1988–2009): the most experienced umpire in history (128 Tests). His accuracy declined in his final years, culminating in the 2008 Sydney Test (India vs Australia) where he gave 3 controversial LBW decisions against India. India threatened to abandon the tour. ICC neutral umpires: the ICC introduced neutral (non-home-country) umpires for Tests in 1994 — a direct response to decades of perceived bias in home umpiring. Both umpires on the field have been required to be neutral since 2002. DRS's primary motivation: beyond correction of errors, DRS was introduced to reduce the power of any single umpire's judgment — the technology accountability deterred inconsistent umpiring rather than just correcting it.