Conceeding the toss.

[fedump]

I recently stood in a match where one captain conceeded the toss to the other.

This happened at the pre-match meeting, on the field of play, during the time period allowed for the toss to take place. My colleague and I, not to mention the other skipper, were somewhat taken aback by this apparent generosity!

At the time, we did not intervene, but on reflection, I am concerned that we should have done so, and insisted that the coin was spun.

Law 12 is specific that there shall be a toss for choice of innings, and unlike some other sports, there is no provision for the winner to pass the choice to the opposition. Tom Smith appears to be silent on the possibility.

I would be interested to learn colleagues' views, particularly if they have ever been faced with this situation. I'm quite happy to be told we were wrong!

[gooders]

Since the umpires don't have to be with the captains when the toss is made, how do you know whether the toss is effectively conceded at any of the games you have done. From the umpires' room, we do not know what the call was (heads or tails) nor do we know how the coin landed, so we accept that what the captains tell us is true do we not?

[tippexii]

If both captains are happy with the outcome, then surely there's no need for the umpires to get involved. I've seen games (albeit practice or friendly games) where it's been mutually agreed who's going to bat first, and nobody's bothered about actually tossing a coin.

[umpireindia]

There was once an incident in domestic cricket in India wherein both the captains claimed that he had won the toss and refused to go for another toss. Since then, there was a new playing condition for the toss, which read that the umpires shall accompany the captains for the toss.

[gooders]

It would still be impossible to say that the toss could not be decided beforehand.
e.g. If I win the toss, what do you want to do, bat or field first. If you want to field, then I'll say we'll have a bat, or vice versa. Just explain to me how the umpire is going to know that the toss hasn't effectively been conceded in that situation.

[umpireindia]

Absolutely true!!! But atleast the kind of incidents that I mentioned can be avoided and play can start on time. In the case that I mentioned, play was lost for about 3 hours in a 4 day game.

[lofters]

The County League here in Cheshire includes a playing condition that states Umpires are to oversee the toss in all 1st XI matches. Held to be neccessary as there is a slightly convoluted points system in place.

It includes.....the side winning the toss can only gain maximum winning points by batting first , whereas the side losing the toss can scoop the maximum batting first or second.

Skippers were queueing up to lose the toss.....?!