bowler on protected area

[Peter Gillman]

This is a question about technique. What do fellow umpires advise about watching whether a bowler is running into the protected area? If you do so, aren't you in danger of not seeing what happens at the business end of the pitch, i.e. when the ball reaches the striker? I should appreciate any advice.

[B A JAMULA]

As the front foot loands and the next step is taken the foot in the air will give an indication where it would land. Also the rough created will be a give away.
Jamula _India

[wisden17]

You can usually sense where the bowler is in his follow through, and how close he is getting to the protected area. This is especially true if he ends up running straight in front of you. You can look at marks created, but I tend not to, as often the bowler may not make any visible damage to the pitch (or specifically will not leave any visible marks in the protected area).

[swerveman]

I have to confess I stood in a match a few weeks ago, and the first I knew of the bowler encroaching on the protected area was when the non-striker brought it to my attention. The bowler assured me it was all right, as his action had been examined and he always landed just inside! He stopped, of course.

[wisden17]

I will always give a bowler a friendly warning when they are getting near to the protected area. The best reply I've ever had, was one telling this rather quick bowler, that he was getting close was:

"In 8 years of of First Class Cricket I never got warned about being near to the protected area"! (What does that say about First Class Umpires in the UK I wonder?!, or how boeling actions change with old(er) age!)

Anyway, this bowler later got reported for dissent in the match (for another incident)!

You may find the batsmen pointing things out to you, but always say something like "I've got my eye on that", or "Yes, I've been watching that", or "I'll keep an eye out" etc. just to give the impression (at least) that you do know what your doing.

[swerveman]

That's the reason a veteran umpire gave me early this season for having a chat now and then.

[johnfgolding]

You should be able to have a good indication when following through with your eyes having first looked at where the bowlers feet landed to see if it was a NO BALL. This is a fairly natural action.

[swerveman]

I don't think there's enough time to do that before looking for LBW.

[mrsinghIndia]

I, for one, tend to keep my eyes on the action on the ball moving to the striker's end and the action that follows delivery.
An offending bowler makes his presence felt by coming close to one's line of sight, which is, to me first indication. After the action is over, one can always ascertain the extent of the misdemeanor and decide on further action. But to give the matter of the bowler priority over other things would, in my view, be wrong because one could easily miss the action at the opposite end.

[Number 6]

I don't think there is enough time available betweenwatching the bowlers feet landing and picking up the flight of the ball to see for sure if a bowler is encroaching. As has been said one does get a feel for whether the bowler is getting close; when this does happen I find that if I walk past the crease, have a good look at the protected area and make a show of smoothing it out with my foot the bowler tends to take note and avoid the area for a while!! ;-)

Pete

[umpireindia]

My technique is that I would position myself in such a way that the top of the wicket is in line with the 5ft marking for the "protected area" and if I bowler runs on the protected area, I would see it clearly not blinded by the stumps.

I hope this helps.

[johnfgolding]

The position makes sense and it is recommended by the majority of books and trainers.
As mentioned previously you usually get an idea of which bowlers are likely to encroach and at that stage a friendly word is usually all that is required.
Also letting the batsman know that you are on top of the situation helps.
A be calm, be firm technique usually diffuses any potential flare up.