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80 Cricket Umpires Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about Cricket Umpires? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to Cricket Umpires (Sports). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
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1 The world-class cricket umpire, David Shepherd, was born in the small English town of Bideford during World War II. In which county, which is also home to Exeter and Plymouth, is Shepherd's hometown of Bideford?
Answer: Devon

In 1940 David Shepherd was born into a family residing at Bideford, Devon which is one of many quaint English port towns. Before becoming a professional cricket umpire, Shepherd would prove to be a decent player of the sport and in particular showed talent as a batsman and a fielder.
    Your options: [ Lancashire ] [ Cornwall ] [ Devon ] [ Wiltshire ]
  From Quiz: Memories of Umpire David Shepherd
2 The first ball of the game is an out-swinger. The ball pitches outside the leg stump and strikes the batsman in front of the off stump on the pad. The bowler appeals. How will you give it?
Answer: Not Out

The batsman can not be given out if the ball pitches outside the leg stump, even if it is going on to hit the batsman's wicket. But the batsman may be given out if the ball pitches outside the off stump and swings or seams back and hits the batsman in front of his stumps. Also you may be given out if the ball pitches inline with the stumps and is going on to hit the batsman's stumps.
  From Quiz: Bowler Calls Howzat!
3 The first ball of the match, a fast bowler comes in at top speed and bowls a full toss at the batsman which just misses the batsman's head. What does the umpire do?
Answer: Warn the bowler

A fast high full toss above waist height is known as a beamer. According to the laws of cricket, a bowler who bowls a beamer is officially warned by the umpire, and the ball is declared as a no-ball. If the bowler repeats this a second time, then the umpire declares it a no-ball again, and the bowler is removed from the bowling attack. This incident occurred in the 2003 World Cup match between Australia and Pakistan when the Pakistan captain Waqar Younis bowled two beamers at Andrew Symonds, and was promptly removed from the attack by umpire David Shepherd.
    Your options: [ Send the bowler off the field ] [ Congratulate the batsman on his escape ] [ Warn the bowler ] [ Remove the bowler from the bowling attack ]
  From Quiz: Howzzat !
4 The first test team to visit India was England in 1933-1934. There was one umpire who stood in all three tests. Who was he?
Answer: J.W Hitch

In 1933-1934, India was still under Colonial rule - so an Indian umpire would created quite a controversy. Hitch played county cricket for Lancashire and even represented England between 1911-12 to 1921. (Indian Cricket, 2001)
F. A Tarrant stood in the first two tests at Mumbai and Calcutta while J.B Higgins stood in the third test at Chennai.
  From Quiz: Umpiring In India
5 What is Steve Bucknor's full name: _______ _______ Bucknor
Answer: Stephen Anthony

Stephen Anthony Bucknor was born on 31st May 1946 in Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica in the West Indies.
  From Quiz: Umpire Steve Bucknor
6 What is Dickie Bird's full name: _______ Bird?
Answer: Harold Dennis

Obviously more affectionally known as Dickie Bird!
  From Quiz: Umpire Dickie Bird
7 A batsman sweeps the ball and gets an edge, the wicket keeper misses the catch and the ball bounces off the wicket keeper's helmet which was behind the stumps and rolls over across the boundary line. How many runs are credited to the batting team?
Answer: 5

The moment the ball hits the wicket keeper's helmet kept behind the stumps, it becomes dead and a penalty of 5 runs is awarded to the batting team. Even though the ball crosses the boundary run, a boundary cannot be given since the ball is dead once it hits the helmet.
    Your options: [ 0 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 9 ]
  From Quiz: Howzzat !
8 Who were the first Indians to umpire in India (Test matches)?
Answer: D.K Naik and J.R Patel

They umpired in the first test against West Indies in the 1948-1949 season (after India got Independence!)
Naik umpired in only one match while Patel umpired in a total of 9 matches.
  From Quiz: Umpiring In India
9 The bowler now furious, starts his run-up again and bowls a ball at him. Sachin gets bowled and he looked at the umpire. The umpire extends one arm horizontally, which signifies what?
Answer: No Ball

A no-ball occurs when the bowler delivers the ball in a fashion or manner that is deemed unfair to the batsman under the laws- this includes beamers, chucking the ball, overstepping the bowling crease etc. It is specifically dealt under law 24. A batsman cannot be given out bowled, LBW, caught, etc off a no-ball but he can get run out.
    Your options: [ Wide Ball ] [ Out ] [ No Run ] [ No Ball ]
  From Quiz: Umpire Signals: Howzat?
10 Where was Steve's first test match as an umpire?
Answer: Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

It was indeed in Jamaica. West Indies played India in 1989.
  From Quiz: Umpire Steve Bucknor
11 Where did Dickie Bird make his One Day International umpiring debut?
Answer: Old Trafford, Manchester

It was England v New Zealand at Old Trafford on 20th July 1973. The match was rained off as a draw after England made 8/167 (typical of Dickie Bird - either rain or bad light follows him everywhere!)
  From Quiz: Umpire Dickie Bird
12 The batsman plays a sweep shot but misses the ball. The ball just nips the leg stump but the bail doesn't come off. The bowler appeals. How will you give it?
Answer: Not out

In order for the decision to be given out, the bails must come off for the batsman to be given out. No matter what happens even if the ball hits the stumps, if the bails have not been dislodged, the batsman is not out.
  From Quiz: Bowler Calls Howzat!
13 How many penalty runs are awarded if the ball in play strikes a fielding sides' helmet while on the ground?
Answer: five

Can often happen if the 'keeper fumbles the ball.
  From Quiz: Wanna be a Cricket Umpire?
14 Who was the first ex-Ranji trophy player to umpire in a Test match?
Answer: B.J Mohoni

B.J Mohoni played Ranji trophy for Maharashtra between 1934-35 to 1940-1941. Later he became a umpire. He first umpired in the third test against West Indies in Calcutta (1948-1949).
  From Quiz: Umpiring In India
15 The Bowler's next ball raps Sachin on the pad and loud cries of "Howzat" are heard. The umpire raises his index finger above the head. Sachin's _____________ ?
Answer: Out

If a batsman is declared out by the umpire , he can no longer bat in that innings. Various methods of getting out include bowled, run out, Hit wicket, caught, stumped, timed-out, obstructing the fielder, LBW etc.


  From Quiz: Umpire Signals: Howzat?
16 Still on Steve's first test match as a umpire. Who were the two teams who played in that test?
Answer: West Indies and India

West Indies beat India by 7 wickets in the 4th Test of the 1989/89 series.
  From Quiz: Umpire Steve Bucknor
17 Which two countries played in the last One Day International that Dickie Bird umpired?
Answer: England and West Indies

England beat West Indies by 25 runs at the Oval on 26th May 1995.
    Your options: [ England and New Zealand ] [ England and West Indies ] [ England and India ] [ England and Pakistan ]
  From Quiz: Umpire Dickie Bird
18 The bowler is furious and his next ball is bowled at the batman's head on the full. The batsman is lucky to get out of the way. What's your decision?
Answer: No ball, and the bowler is immediately taken out of the attack

The nickname for a ball like that is a "beamer". or in some quarters, a "doodle bug". If the bowler accidentally bowls one, he is given a 'first and final warning' by the umpire, and is removed from the bowling attack if he bowls another one. However, if he bowls one deliberately, as is the case here, he is immediately removed from the attack.
  From Quiz: Bowler Calls Howzat!
19 A batsman steps out to hit a spinner and misses the ball, the wicket keeper removes the bails. The decision is referred to the third umpire. The TV replays indicate the batsman's foot was on the line, what is the third umpire's decision?
Answer: Out

During any stumping/run-out situation, the batsman's bat or part of his body should be behind the line. If it is on the line, he has obviously not crossed the line and is out.
  From Quiz: Howzzat !
20 Who was the first Indian test player(retired) to umpire in a match?
Answer: S. Venkatraghavan

S. Venkatraghavan represented India between 1964-65 to 1983-85. He was also the Indian captain in the first two World cups (1975 & 1979).
  From Quiz: Umpiring In India
21 As Sachin walks towards the dressing room, he takes a last look at the umpire. The Umpire is looking at the scorers and he touches both shoulders, each with the opposite hand. What did he mean by that?
Answer: Revoke Last Signal

If the umpire wishes to revoke a decision made by him, he must do so before the next ball is bowled.
  From Quiz: Umpire Signals: Howzat?
22 A ball is quite wide and the batsman leaves, and the keeper misses and the ball hits the fielding team's helmet. The bowler lowers his head in disappointment. How will you give it?
Answer: 5 runs awarded to the batting side

If the fielding team decides to bring a helmet on to the field to wear, and the ball hits the helmet when it is behind the keeper, the batting side gets 5 runs.
  From Quiz: Bowler Calls Howzat!
23 The bowler bowls a delivery which is pitched outside the leg stump. The ball swings sharply and hits the batsman in front of his middle stump. An appeal is made for leg before wicket, what is the umpire's decision?
Answer: Not out

According to the laws of the game, for a batsman to be out leg before wicket, the ball should not have pitched outside the leg stump. Further, the impact of the delivery should be on a straight line from wicket to wicket and in the opinion of the umpire, the ball is going to hit the wicket. In this case, the ball has pitched outside the leg stump so the batsman is not out.
    Your options: [ Dead ball ] [ Out ] [ Not out ] [ Refer to third umpire ]
  From Quiz: Howzzat !
24 In a two day, two innings match, the first innings lead of the team batting first must be at least how much before they can enforce the follow on?
Answer: 100

If the first day of a 3-day match is washed out, the lead required is as for a 2-day match, 100 runs.
  From Quiz: Wanna be a Cricket Umpire?
25 After Independence, who was the first Englishman to umpire in India?
Answer: H.D Bird

When in doubt, go for Dickie Bird! He umpired in the first test match against West Indies in 1994-95 at Mumbai. India won this test match, completing ten consecutive home Test wins.
  From Quiz: Umpiring In India
26 The Bowler's next delivery gets dispatched to the boundary, the umpire _________________ ?
Answer: Waves one arm from side to side finishing with the arm across the chest

It's a four - the batsman gets four runs to his name, however if he runs more than four before the ball reaches the boundary, he gets that many number of runs.
  From Quiz: Umpire Signals: Howzat?
27 What was Steve's date of birth?
Answer: 31 May 1946

Steve Bucknor was born on 31st May 1946 in Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica in the West Indies.
  From Quiz: Umpire Steve Bucknor
28 When was Dickie Bird born?
Answer: April 19, 1933
  From Quiz: Umpire Dickie Bird
29 The batsman hits the ball in the air, the fielder near the boundary line catches the ball and loses his balance and falls over the boundary line. What is the umpire's decision?
Answer: Not out and six runs

The moment the fielder crosses the boundary line, the batsman is not out. Since the fielder fell over the boundary line with the ball in his hand, it is declared a six. If the ball had slipped out of the fielder's hand and rolled over the boundary, it would be four.
  From Quiz: Howzzat !
30 If the batsman has run seven runs at the time when "lost ball" is called, how many runs shall the batting side be awarded?
Answer: seven

Law 20 deals with a lost ball, a quaint relic from pre lawnmower days...
  From Quiz: Wanna be a Cricket Umpire?
31 The bowler's next delivery is well left; however the wicket keeper couldn't collect it , the ball rolls and hits something. The umpire promptly taps one shoulder with the opposite hand, signifying ____________ ?
Answer: Five runs awarded to the batting side

If the ball hits certain objects like a helmet that was being used by the fielding side but now left on the ground, the batting team gets 5 penalty runs; these runs come under extras and not awarded to any batsman.
  From Quiz: Umpire Signals: Howzat?
32 Steve stood in Bangladesh's first ever test match. Who was his umpiring colleague during that historic test?
Answer: David Shepherd

The test match was against India at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Bangladesh (400 & 91) lost to India (429 & 64-1) by nine wickets. The test was played in November 2000, the two umpires? Steve Bucknor and . . . . David Shepherd.
  From Quiz: Umpire Steve Bucknor
33 The batsman charges and misses the ball and the wicketkeeper stumps him. The batsman's foot is on the line. The bowler appeals. How will you give it?
Answer: Stumped

The batsman's foot must be behind the line to be given not out. Therefore, as in this case the batsman's foot was on the line, thus the decision was given out.
  From Quiz: Bowler Calls Howzat!
34 The batsman drives the ball powerfully, it hits the bowler's hand and deflects on to the wickets at the bowler's end and dislodges the bails. The non-striker is out of his crease. What does the umpire do?
Answer: Non-striker is declared run out

The law clearly states that if the ball struck by a batsman hits the bowler's hand and then dislodges the bails at the bowler's end, then the non-striker is out, if he has not made good his ground.
  From Quiz: Howzzat !
35 The bowler's next delivery is hit straight to the top tier of the stadium, so the umpire ___________ ?
Answer: Raises both hands above the head

The batsman is awarded 6 runs if he hits the ball beyond the boundary rope (without pitching inside the field).

  From Quiz: Umpire Signals: Howzat?
36 In June 2002, Steve Bucknor overtook Dickie Bird's record for standing in the most test matches. It was Steve's 67th test, but who were the two teams playing?
Answer: England and Sri Lanka

The match was played at Old Trafford in Manchester. England (512 and 54/0) beat Sri Lanka (253 and 308) by ten wickets.
  From Quiz: Umpire Steve Bucknor
37 In what year was Dickie awarded his MBE?
Answer: 1986

June 1986 to be precise!
  From Quiz: Umpire Dickie Bird
38 The bowler steps over the popping crease and the ball bowls the batsman. The bowler appeals. How will you give it?
Answer: Not out and no ball

The bowler must not step outside the popping crease or the ball will be given a no ball. Even if you get the batsman out, it must be on a fair delivery.
  From Quiz: Bowler Calls Howzat!
39 The bowler's next ball is hit to cow corner. The batsmen run two, the umpire bends one arm upwards and touches the nearer shoulder with the tips of the fingers. What is meant by that?
Answer: Short run

If the batsman doesn't ground his bat(or part of his body) in the opposite crease before going for the second run, then he is not awarded that run.

  From Quiz: Umpire Signals: Howzat?
40 In June 2002, Steve Bucknor overtook Dickie Bird's record for standing in the most test matches. It was Steve's 67th test, but who was his umpiring colleague?
Answer: Dave Orchard

The umpire was Dave Orchard, the highly respected South African umpire.
  From Quiz: Umpire Steve Bucknor
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