Setting up the Game Law 10 (Covering the Pitch)

As previously discussed, one duty of the umpires upon arrival to the ground is to determine what covers, if any, are available. In addition, during the pre-match discussions, umpires are to determine from the ground staff the time needed to fully cover the pitch. In the comments section, can you say why this information is needed?

 Before the match

The use of covers before the match is the responsibility of the Ground Authority and may include full covering if required. However, the Ground Authority shall grant suitable facility to the captains to inspect the pitch before the nomination of their players and to the umpires to discharge their duties.

During the match

Unless determined otherwise before the toss, on each night of the match and in inclement weather at any time during the match, the whole pitch and a minimum of 4 ft/1.22 m beyond it at each end shall be covered. In addition, the bowlers’ run-ups, where possible, shall be covered. On some grounds, the covers may not be long enough to cover the run-up of some fast bowlers. In this situation, the last few strides before delivery are important to be covered.

Removal of covers

 If after the toss the pitch is covered overnight, the covers shall be removed as soon as practicable on each day that play is expected to take place.

 If covers are used during the day as protection from inclement weather, or if inclement weather delays the removal of overnight covers, they shall be removed promptly as soon as conditions allow. With guidance from the ground staff (where needed), it is the duty of the umpires to determine whether conditions have improved so as to warrant the removal of the covers. The faster the covers are removed, the less playing time is lost.

Source: Tom Smith’s Cricket Umpiring and Scoring (Law 10)

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