Wet ball

[missingleg]

You are umpiring a match where there is no rain but with a wet outfield, or a wet outfield in parts. Would you allow a change of ball based on the fact it has become wet, swelled up and no longer would fit in a gauge (out of shape)?

Would appreciate answers to this for a training session.

[tippex2]

Technically, the Laws only require that a ball meets the specifications "when new". Having said that, particularly if the swelling was on one side only, I think I would lean towards changing the ball.

I'd probably adopt the procedure outlined in one of Don Oslear's books, where one umpire would select the replacement ball, then roll it along the ground to his colleague for their approval, who would then roll it back. This ensures that the fielding side don't get teh advantage of a completely dry ball to bowl with, while not wasting time by artificially wetting and drying the ball repeatedly

[missingleg]

Thanks tippex. So I would be right in saying the laws neither permit nor forbid a change of ball in this instance? I can't find much in the laws either way.

[tippex2]

The Laws mention the ball becoming "unfit for play through normal use", but don't define the term unfit. This means it's up to the two umpires to deccide when a ball's become unfit using their common sense.

[andysaunders]

Why do test match umpires regularly use the gauge on an old ball given to them with a request to change it? Surely this is not its use

[Acumen]

The gauge is a good way to ensure that the ball is round and does not have any flat spots - which might not be accurately identified by naked eye.