My aim is to address as many different facets of cricket that need improving in Bermuda. In previous weeks, I discussed captaincy, the pitch, coaching, and this week I want to focus on umpires and the role they play in improving Bermuda cricket.

Over the years, I have seen the level of umpiring go up and down. When I first came into the game, the umpiring was at a very high standard. However, midway through my career, I saw the level drop off as several top umpires withdrew their services and the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association had to rebuild. Now, although they are few in numbers, I think the standard of umpiring is back on the up.

Some may think umpiring has nothing to do with the overall standard of cricket, but it does. Umpires play a massive role in the game. Their decision-making is very crucial and could often be the difference between teams winning and losing a game.

I have seen many people criticise umpires, but until you have actually tried it, you will not understand the level of concentration and focus it entails. Every ball is critical and one must try to get each decision correct, which is almost impossible. You even see it in Test cricket where not even the best umpires in the world get every decision correct, but, fortunately for them, at that level they have instant replay to assist.

The need for more quality umpires is immense.

The umpires association will be putting on a beginners’ course starting Tuesday in the hope of increasing their numbers. This could be an excellent avenue for a former player to venture — to challenge oneself and make a few extra dollars at the same time. I always encourage former players to give something back to the game that they once loved.

In a joint effort to improve umpiring and promoting cricket island-wide, I would love to see the Bermuda Cricket Board collaborate with the BCUA and get the match of the weekend broadcasted and taped. That may prove too costly, but at least once a month for starters to see how it goes. I strongly feel this will help to attract more interest in the game. Bermudians love to listen to a big game on the radio. These games can give umpires some much-needed exposure under pressure. Knowing that the game is being broadcast and videotaped, umpires will want to be at their best.

The importance of having it videotaped is for the umpires’ benefit. The tapes could be used for discussion between umpires, as analysis guru Lorenzo Tucker has the software that can flag (highlight) all appeals. This would enable umpires to sit down in their weekly or monthly meetings and have raw footage to debate and discuss, which would go a long way towards improving the overall standard of umpiring.

Hopefully, the time will come when the BCB gives the umpires more authority when it comes to disciplinary action. The lack of match officials means that all disciplinary procedures are dealt with by the BCB disciplinary committee. However, at international level where there are match officials, the umpires hand in their report of the incident and the incident is dealt with right there at the field before the player leaves the game. Surely, if a player commits a Level 1 or Level 2 offence, the umpires could deal with it immediately after the game, and report it to the BCB, rather than going through a disciplinary meeting. If the player is unhappy with the outcome, they can appeal the decision like they normally would do.

During my career in Bermuda, one thing I have found to be a downfall of some umpires is their failure to give top batsmen out leg-before. I don’t know if it is out of fear, or respect for the player, but umpires are there to make decisions. Regardless of the name, out is out!

At the end of the day, they are doing the player an injustice because he may have a flaw in his technique that needs tweaking. But if he is not given out, he will think it is OK. I have seen at least two of our top players in recent years consistently not being given out locally for leg-before decisions, but go on tour and struggle because they are constantly being given out.

As a coach, I used to preach to my players to know your umpires. Meaning, some umpires are very precise with the leg-before rule and hardly give any unless you are dead smack in front of your wicket. Then you have the umpire who is quick to give one, especially if you play a bad shot.

Umpires are to be applauded because without them the game could not go on. Their task in the middle is long and requires enormous concentration in often extreme heat.

As we continue to try to move the game forward, Bermuda will need more quality umpires. Just like all the other facets in the game that I previously discussed, the aim should be to improve the quantity, along with the quality, by 5 per cent. Collectively, if we all pitch in we can slowly make progress and get our game back to a decent standard.

It would be remiss of me to not send my condolences to the family of Anthony “Pacer” Edwards. I had the privilege to play with him and against him. He was without a doubt one of Bermuda’s best.

My fondest cricket memory of Anthony was when Devonshire Rec played St George’s in St George’s some years ago and he told us all, “I am going to bowl your whole team out.” Lo and behold, he almost did, as Devonshire Rec bowled us out for a mere 132 and “Pacer” got seven wickets. May he rest in peace!

Umpires tip: When making a decision, have confidence and back yourself. Players can sense when an umpire is fragile and that is when they apply pressure on you.