Cricket umpires use standard hand signals to communicate decisions to players, scorers and spectators. Understanding these signals helps new fans follow a match and recognise important events.

Common Cricket Umpire Signals

Out: The umpire raises one index finger above the head to indicate that a batter has been dismissed.

No-ball: One arm extended horizontally indicates a no-ball. This normally awards an extra run and the delivery does not count as one of the six valid balls in an over.

Wide: Both arms extended horizontally indicate a wide delivery. A wide normally adds an extra run to the batting team's total.

Dead ball: The umpire crosses and uncrosses the wrists below the waist to indicate a dead ball.

Four: The umpire waves an arm from side to side, finishing across the chest, to signal a boundary four.

Six: Both arms raised above the head indicate a boundary six.

Bye: An open hand raised above the head signals a bye.

Leg bye: Touching a raised knee with the hand indicates a leg bye.

These signals help scorers record match events accurately. Byes and leg byes are extras rather than runs credited to the individual batter.

Why These Signals Matter

Knowing umpire signals makes it easier to follow score changes, understand dismissals and recognise when an extra run has been awarded. Beginners can start with the most common signals and gradually learn the less frequent ones.

The MCC maintains the Laws of Cricket and provides official guidance about umpire signals.

Reddy Book publishes educational cricket guides for readers who want to understand the rules and terminology of the game.

Read more: https://reddybookclub.org.in/

Official reference: https://www.lords.org/mcc/about-the-laws-of-cricket