Wicketkeeper Encroaching

[whakidywhak]

This is an interesting one for the striker's end umpire. The Law states that No ball shall be called anytime after the ball comes into play. However, I have rarely seen this done. Most umpires I know will only call this after an appeal for a caught behind or stumping. That is, of course, unless the gloves are a long way in front. But for minor transgressions with no advantage gained, I usually have a quiet word with the Keeper as soon as I get chance. If he persists, I ping him. It is certainly something I watch for especially with junior players.

[gooders]

I have always found that, as with bowlers getting close to overstepping, a quiet word is generally appreciated before he transgresses.

[Acumen]

Once again, I have been lucky (or persistent) enough to capture a real incident on video:
www.a-b.co.uk/examples/MOV1451.avi

[gooders]

I recall one occasion in a game at which I was the striker's end umpire, when I called (and signaled) no-ball for encroachment by the wicket keeper as the batsman hit the ball over extra cover for six.

[Acumen]

I understand some people are having difficulty in viewing my video clips.

I will review them shortly - standards do seem to vary.

Meanwhile, may I recommend VLC media player from www.videolan.org/vlc/

[jaybee]

Many thanks - this software worked well for me.

[Mayur Wankhade Deshmukh]

As a practice , i look for WK and where his gloves are. Then i watch out for if bowler starts his run-up. From this point till bowler enters into his delivery stride i again switch to watch WK for any encroachment.

i would like to know any better practice for this , if any ?

Thanks
Mayur Wankhade.

[gooders]

Not saying it's any better, but I prefer to check the line of the stumps rather than concentrating on where the wicket keeper's gloves are. It's any part of the wicket keeper or his equipment, not just his gloves that can cause the infringement. Just my thoughts.

[sillypoint]

A point of technique worth noting in relation to this issue. I have often observed that there is a significant parallax error possible when observing the wicketkeeper's position from our usual line, at or near the line of the popping crease. You can easily see the potential if you take note of the significant "V" between the stumps and the batting crease on the far side of the stumps; any encroachment in this area may be more apparent than real. Therefore I have always adopted the practice (and recommended it in my various training roles), whenever the wicketkeeper positions him/herself where encroachment is likely, to stand in line with the stumps. If you see encroachment from this position there is no doubt about it, whereas if there appears to be a small encroachment when observed from closer to the popping crease it may only be apparent, due to this parallax error. Try it, and you will quickly see what I mean.

[missingleg]

Very interesting...however won't that hinder your ability to make a correct stumping decision? Isn't getting this right more important than a marginal encroachment call? Tough one (but I've never stood in line with the bowling crease/stumps so I can't speak with much authority here.

[jaybee]

A couple of points.

• presumably the parallax effect increases the nearer you are to the stumps - so don't stand too close
• the parallax effect would work the other way if the gloves etc are on your side of the stumps (or indeed between you and the far stump)

It follows that there is no perfect position. I often move to the halfway position if there's a keeper standing up close and I start to think he may encroach.
Perhaps this is an argument for a quiet word to the keeper as soon as you think it's likely - unless a clear infringement comes before you get a chance to do that.

[sillypoint]

I'm pleased to see my post spark some discussion. As regards the stumping issue raised by missingleg, it's a valid point, but the effect is tiny compared to the corrective effect re parallax. I argue that even your normal position is better just backward of the popping crease rather than straddling it, because you have a clearer view of the crease itself, ie, the back EDGE of the crease marking. Standing closer to the batting crease still gives you this with a very slightly increased chance of error. But this is worth it if the keeper's stance warrants. After all, if the keeper reaches forward of the stumps to take the ball when he sees a stumping opportunity the resulting No Ball negates his stumping—and we have to try and get that right too.

The points made by jaybee are all valid. Re distance, there are other disadvantages to standing too deep, and some significant advantages standing closer, so you have to weigh all of these matters when deciding where to stand—but you can't weigh them—or even be aware of them—if you haven't thought about them. I totally agree with the quiet word approach, and I completely concur that there is no perfect position that suits all circumstances. One thing all umpires should do is be prepared to adapt position to suit the circumstances before them at any given time.

[jaybee]

The observation sillypoint makes about getting a better view of the back edge of the popping crease is really good.
On reflection I recall that when moving 90^o and stepping back into line with the bowling crease when the ball has gone out just forward of square leg it has given me an excellent view of the line the batsman has to reach.
On distance I've been exhorted to stand at about the same distance as I am from the action when I'm at the bowler's end. I'm not 100% convinced as there are so many things that can and do happen at widely differing distances that I think it's more important to stand where you feel comfortable - provided you can see the important things clearly.
And of course you must always try to stay safe!!

[sillypoint]

Continuing this discussion a little further on the matter of distance. I have often heard the the notion, indeed exhortation, to stand about a pitch length from the wickets at the striker's end for the reason that is the same distance as at the bowler's end, but I tend to think this is a furphy. For starters, it is not the same distance as you are from everything you need to watch from the bowler's end, as the ball gets progressively further from you. Second, at the bowler's end you are looking front on, at the striker's end you are looking side on. Third, you don't strive to get that far back to judge run outs at the bowler's end. As jaybee says, you have to be adept at judging things at widely differing distances. My own practice has been to stand as close as I feel comfortable, which is usually somewhat closer than most other umpires I have stood with. Closer gives you a much better view of the critical things; too far back and you almost feel out of it all.