Cricket is regarded as the gentlemen’s game b ut it is also a signal game and no one can do the signals as well as the umpires do. Every movement of the umpire has some meaning whether it is to declare a no ball, indicate an out, or grant a free hit. To the fans who want to decode these movements, the following is a comprehension of the entire hand signals of a cricket umpire and what they signify.
The Language of the Umpire
Umpires are like a judge in a highly pressured world of international cricketing and also like a silent speaker. They make use of universally accepted umpire signs to pass judgments to players, scorers and the audience. These signals are a combination of the clarity, accuracy, and uniformity so that any decision is comprehended at once, regardless of the locality in which the match is played.
The most important Cricket Umpire Hand Signals and their meaning
| Signal | Umpire Action | Meaning / Description |
| Out | Index finger is raised vertically | The batter is announced out. It is the most dramatic and awaited message in cricket. |
| Not Out | Shaking head or hands down | The appeal is rejected and the batter continues |
| No Ball | Lifts one arm in horizontal direction | A delivery is unlawful — either overstepping or high. Brings a free hit in limited overs cricket. |
| Free Hit | Circles one arm round the head | signifies that the following ball after a no-ball is a free hit, which means that the batter can not be dismissed by anything but a run-out. |
| Wide Ball | reaches out both arms horizontally | The ball is too far away to strike, one extra run is given. |
| Bye | Holds an open palm over the head | Runs scored without bat contact |
| Leg Bye | Touches a raised knee | Runs scored after the ball strikes the body of the batter rather than the bat. |
| Four Runs | Waves a single arm back and forth | The ball after contact with ground touches the boundary |
| Six Runs | both arms raised over the head | The ball clears the boundary without touching the ground |
| Third Umpire / DRS Review | Makes a rectangle in the air | Refers a decision to the TV umpire |
Why Umpire Signals Matter?
These signals in cricket by umpires serve to keep the game on track and just. They make sure that the players and fans, be it in a stadium or at home watching them on TV immediately know what is happening on the field. As cricket is changing to various formats such as the T20 and The Hundred, these gestures will keep on being the way of linking the old and the new.
Final Word
Every movement tells a story be it the dramatic out umpire signal or a quick no ball signal. The gesture of an umpire that cricket fans so love is not only about making decisions right or wrong, but also about preserving the flow and the heartbeat of the game. The next time you are watching a match, you should decode these signs, it is like learning the secret language of cricket!
FAQs
What are cricket umpire signals?
They are hand gestures used to show decisions like runs scored, wickets, no balls, wides, and reviews.
What is the 6 hand gesture in cricket?
To signal a six, the umpire raises both arms straight above the head.
What hand signals do umpires use?
Common signals are- out (index finger up), four (waving arms), six (arms up) etc.
What does it mean when a cricket umpire taps his shoulder?
That signals a short tun- meaning the batsman did not complete the run properly.
