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Post by Number 6 on May 21, 2007 19:10:43 GMT
No, sorry I don't have any misunderstanding and I fully understand the procedures.
However, I know that there is some sort of guideline figure in LUX value that is used as a benchmark, in fact there has to be otherwise there would be no consistency in the decisions various umpires make about whether to offer.
The meters are used to measure this LUX value so that the umpires then have a set standard to work to as to when it is reasonable to offer. Otherwise someones "too dark" is someone elses "OK".
I have a strong feeling that 1000 LUX is the figure so does anyone know if this is right or not. If so does the figure change depending on whether fast or slow bowlers are operating as obviously a fielding team would have a bit more leeway if they were only using slows.
Thanks again.
Pete
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Post by Number 6 on May 22, 2007 4:55:30 GMT
I just found this on opticianonline:
"With the advent of day-night cricket there has been much recent interest in the lighting of cricket grounds. In an attempt to minimise the effects of glare in cricket, the locations of the floodlighting towers are critical. These are normally located such that with normal bowling approach directions and normal batsman viewing directions, direct glare to these players should be minimised.
For day-night cricket matches, which are invariably televised, the values of illuminance provided are typically 1,000 lux at the wicket with a trade-off through the outfield to approximately 650 lux at the boundary. For normal daytime cricket Ð ie that played without the aid of floodlighting, the level of illuminance at which the umpires tend to offer the batsmen the opportunity leave the field because of 'bad light' is typically 1,000 lux."
I just found the following which seem to reinforce the 1000 lux figure:
Moonlight 1 Lux Dim Room 40 Lux Office/Classroom 500 Lux Cloudy Day 10,000 Lux Sunny Day 100,000 Lux
Pete
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Post by Number 6 on May 23, 2007 8:48:18 GMT
I did read what you wrote and I'm not arguing with you. That is the procedure if the umpires think that the light is getting unacceptable prior to any complaint from the batsmen and in games where light meters are officially issued and used.
However, if the batsmen complain about the light then the umpires will confer and check their meters before acceding or rejecting the batsmens request.
But all of that is largely beside the point of my query. I was merely asking at what approximate level the light is too bad to continue as I knew I had read somewhere about an accepted figure which does now turn out to be 1000 Lux. I'm looking to apply this information in the the club game area where the players will often wish to continue even when the light in my opinion is too poor. In these circumstances when I pose the question to my colleague for the day I usually find that most umpires shrug their shoulders and say "they seem to be able to pick up the flight OK", or "the batsmen haven't complained so let them carry on"; this has sometimes been in circumstances where I certainly would not wish to have been facing. So, I've now acquired a light meter which will enable me to be a little more forceful with my more "laid back" colleagues when it comes to tricky light conditions as I really don't want to be standing when a player gets his teeth knocked out due to not seeing the ball properly.
Hence my question about the accepted bad light Lux value.
Pete
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Post by wisden17 on May 23, 2007 11:04:21 GMT
Well Peter I certainly don't think you need a light meter at club level!
Indeed Minor County regulations actually ban their use at that level.
The use of a light meter in the way you describe is the wrong way around of using it!
Once the two umpires have agreed that the light levels are unacceptable they will then measure that level and from that point on will have a reference mark for the rest of the game.
There is no "accepted bad light" value. It will vary from game to game, and indeed it does at Test Level.
With regard to your point about your colleagues not being keen on offering the light, this seems to be a common trait of umpires at this level. However, I don't think whipping out a light meter and saying "Oh well the light level is only x lux, so we ought to offer the light".
You ought to perhaps raise the point at your next umpires' meeting (which I'm guessing is a post-season meeting) and see if you could talk about the issue of bad light.
I have found throughout my umpiring that I can be "forecful" with my colleagues without the need for a light meter. What do you actually say to your colleague when you have a quick chat with them about offering the light? May it be that you ought to consider a different way of phrasing it.
Personally what I do is say something like "Getting a bit dark! I'm not happy with the light, I think we need to offer it to the batsmen." Always works with me.
You mention that one of the "complaints" you get from your colleagues is that the batsmen haven't complained. Well you ought to simply say to your colleague " Well no harm in offering it them".
I certainly don't think a light meter will help with other umpires at this level as all of them will not have experience umpiring with them, and on top of that from the sounds of it you'll be using it in an entirely different way to how it is used at Test Level.
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Post by Number 6 on May 24, 2007 11:09:16 GMT
I do hear what you say and I'm only planning to conduct an experiment this season with a view to raising it at the end of season meeting.
However, a few umpires in my local league do carry and use meters, usually the photographic type; one respected colleague of mine (a local instructor) uses one religiously and takes the view that if the reading drops to "x" on his photo meter then "I'm off", to use his phrase. No-one that I know of though uses a lux meter so one of my aims is to compare my colleagues "x" value with my lux meter value to gain common ground. I did try it out last night (not at a game) and 1000 lux does seem to be fairly dark.
One reason why I am keen to introduce some sort of standard is that this season we have new "rain rules", one of the facets of which could mean that a match goes on way past 8pm. If I do get to the stage where a rain affected match is chugging on towards 9pm then I want something to be able to show the players AND the league comittee that it's too dark to play.
We'll see.
I take your comments on board and I will take a pragmatic view and see what transpires over the season.
Pete
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Post by Acumen on Feb 22, 2016 12:41:33 GMT
I HAVE NOW UPDATED THE SUMMARY
Under MCC Laws, which may be varied by ICC or other special regulations, the basic procedures should be:
Umpires make an initial decision on the quality of the light at both ends (and elsewhere) considering both batsmen and fielders. This is purely subjective by eye and taking into account background, shadows etc.
They may or may not decide to leave the field at this point. The batsmen no longer have any right to express their view (unlike before 2010 changes).
However this is the point at which the umpires must use the light meter and make notes for each angle. This is then the standard used for what constitutes bad light for that match. They can then judge objectively whether the light has improved or deteriorated. Essentially they are used only to maintain a standard throughout the match.
It is important to consider whether the fielders can see the ball well enough. The striker does know approximately where the ball will arrive but close fielders especially have very little time to react.
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Post by Acumen on Mar 7, 2016 10:44:12 GMT
Acumen now has a light meter for £20 including UK p&p - also improved information on waist bags, markers, metal lever counter - visit www.acumenbooks.co.uk for more information.
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