Click to enlarge, and debate the strip below the line.
John Holder’s verdict
1) If the fielding side appeal, turn the appeal down. Obstruction has to be seen as deliberate, and that’s clearly not the case here. So call and signal dead ball, and warn the batsman that his action in throwing the bat was dangerous, and he could be reported. Thanks to Joseph Venables.
2) b) Play on, after removing the extra fielder. That would be the case whether this dreadful error was spotted in the first over or in any later over. If your colleague disagrees with you and prefers another course of action, then he will have to accept that, whenever there’s a disagreement between umpires, the status quo prevails. Thanks to Arthur Tweedie.
3) Your colleague needs to take a step back here – it’s your decision. The striker’s end umpire has no authority or right to comment on the legality or otherwise of such a delivery. That is the prerogative solely of the bowler’s end umpire. Your decision stands. Thanks to Neil Oxbury
Win a signed John Holder book
For a chance to win a signed copy of umpire John Holder’s forthcoming autobiography Test of Character, email your cricketing question, name and address to you.are.the.umpire@observer.co.uk. If your scenario appears in a future You are the Umpire this summer, you win a copy of the book. Terms apply.
Test of Character is out in hardback on 1 July, £18.99.
