Reader's Digest version of Captain's duty by Ron Knight

For those of you who like the Reader's Digest version up front, the
point of this mailing is to remind all that the right of a captain to
speak to the umpire does not include the right to engage in a debate
over his decisions.

Here are a few paragraphs taken from an "Advice to Umpires" publication
I have.  I have some further comments below.

"Umpires should never offer explanations for decisions or enter into
heated post mortems. It is acceptable however to answer a reasonably
asked question at the end of the over provided you do not get into a
protracted discussion. Indeed the Captain is within his rights to seek
a clarification on some decisions or aspects of the Laws. The modern game
is increasingly demanding on umpires and there is pressure to give some
explanation on nearly every decision.

"It is important that you be shown as a good listener and have a
genuine concern for the Laws and their application. This type of interaction
and communication between umpires and players can only be good in fostering
acceptance and respect. Sometimes a query such as "What was wrong with
that one?" could be answered with a simple "It cannot pitch out side
leg stump" or "The ball must hit him in line with the stumps." This type of
answer can alleviate further animosity and indeed further futile
appeals. A different degree of detail can be used as you build up a
rapport with Captains and players. This takes time and experience to
develop fully.

"It is usually best to deal with all queries such as this at the end of
the over. This has a twofold effect by allowing aggression to dissipate
and not affecting your concentration. Always answer with an even voice,
be unhurried and show complete confidence. Never volunteer information
or try to justify a decision if you are not asked. Remember there is a
huge difference between answering a simple query and justifying your
every decision.

"If the player becomes rude or abusive during any conversation, remind
him of the reason for the discussion which is to clarify what in your
opinion, you have seen and heard, not what he would have liked to
happen. Be firm but relaxed."

End of excerpt.  Please note the relevant phrases:  "It is acceptable
... to answer a reasonably asked question ... provided you do not get
into a protracted discussion."  "Remember there is a huge difference
between answering a simple query and justifying your every decision."
"... the reason for the discussion ... is to clarify what in your
opinion, you have seen and heard, not what he would have liked to
happen."

Our MACC Rules and Regulations allow, in Section 5, that the captain of
a team might have a legitimate reason for asking a question of the
umpire from time to time.  However, it must be understood that a
question should be for the purpose of clarifying a procedure to be
followed, raising a question of concern (such as, for example, sledging
from the other team or the legitimacy of the bowler's action), or
seeking a brief description of what the umpire observed or what Law he
followed in making a decision.  It is no more legitimate for the
captain than for any other player to ask a question that is really not a
question, but is instead the opening of an argument about whether the
umpire's decision was correct or not. 

Law 42.18:  "If there is any breach of the Spirit of the Game by a
player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, or
criticizing his decisions by word or action, or showing dissent, or
generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into
disrepute, the umpire concerned shall immediately report the matter to
the other umpire."

"The umpires together shall (i) inform the player's captain of the
occurrence, instructing the latter to take action. (ii)... (iii) ...."

So what are the umpires supposed to do when it is the *captain* who is
criticizing the umpire's decision or showing dissent?  Does being the
captain and being entitled to speak to the umpire more than the rest of
the team entitle the captain to criticize the umpire's decision or show
dissent?  Entering into an argument attempting to prove that the
umpire's decision was wrong is showing dissent.  The captain has no
more entitlement to do this than any other player.

Section 5 of our MACC Rules and Regulations reminds us all that "The
captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is
conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.
Players serving as captains must understand that they are responsible
both for their own actions and for those of their teams."  Captains are
given no more license to violate the Spirit of the Game than other
players.  In fact, Captains are held to a higher standard of conduct
than other players.  Disrupting a match by entering into a debate with
an umpire as to whether his decision was correct or not is not allowed
of captains any more than it is of anyone else.

One of these days we are going to get a Code of Conduct drawn up in
this League.  When we do I can all but guarantee that it will include
stiffer punishments for violations by captains than for the same violations by
other players, as well as possible additional punishments for captains
when players for which they are responsible violate the Spirit of the
Game.  Captaincy is a heavy responsibility; teams should not elect the
most argumentative and undisciplined person on the team to be their
captain.  Nor should they elect someone whose authority they will not
recognize.  Captains should not accept election if they are not willing
to accept responsibility for the behavior of their teams or if their
teams are not willing to accept their authority.

It is not always good umpiring to refuse to listen to what a captain or
a player has to say, even if in strict point of fact the captain or
player is exceeding the bounds of the Spirit of Cricket.  Sometimes the
best management is to allow the question, even if implies a criticism
of his decision or shows dissent, if providing a brief answer will allow
the matter to pass and the match to proceed.  That is a matter for the
individual umpire to handle on his own best judgment.  But the umpire
is well within his rights to insist, "I have explained to you why I
made my decision and I am not going to change it.  We don't need to discuss
this further at this time."  All players, and especially Captains, need
to bear the responsibility of contributing to the goal of keeping the
conduct of play within the Spirit of Cricket.  Debating a call with the
umpire during play is not within the Spirit of Cricket.

Ron Knight