By Tony Becca, Senior Sport EditorICC UMPIRES training officer Nigel Plews has supported the umpires and captains following the controversy surrounding the Surrey Senior Cup cricket match between the Jamaica Defence Force and Portland at Camp a few weeks ago.
After rain had washed out the first day of the two-day match, the umpires ruled that the pitch was not suitable for play at the scheduled start of the second day, the captains, however, agreed to play, the umpires allowed the match to start, and the decision was the centre of a controversy as to who has the final say and whether the match should have started when it did.
According to Plews, the umpires were right - and so too the captains when, after agreeing to play, they also agreed on certain restrictions as far as the use of their bowlers was concerned.
Replying to a letter from Thomas Wilson, former secretary of the Jamaica Cricket Umpires Association, seeking clarification of the Law governing the conditions of ground, weather and light and who have the final say, Plews, after admitting the Law was complicated, stated that based on what was reported, both the umpires and the captains at Camp were right.
According to Plews, whose reply was approved by John Jameson, chairman of the MCC Laws Working Party, if the umpires considered the pitch unsuitable for play but not actually dangerous, the captains were within the Law to agree to play.
He also said that in coming to such an agreement the captains could also agree to whatever restrictions on bowlers they wished to voluntarily impose.
In a summary of the Law, Plews explained that there are three levels of fitness as far as the law governing ground, weather and light is concerned.
The levels are as follows: suitable - perfectly acceptable for play and play has to take place; unsuitable - not ideal for play but not actually dangerous, and play may take place depending on an agreement by the captains; and unreasonably or dangerous - any reasonable person could foresee the likelihood of injury to those on the field of play and umpires will not allow play to take place.
Plews went on to state that it is the umpires and not the captains who decide on the levels, and that while the captains can decide to play when it is considered unsuitable, they have no say when it is considered suitable or unreasonable or dangerous.
When the pitch is considered suitable for play, the captains cannot agree not to play; and when it is considered unreasonable or dangerous, the captains cannot agree to play.
