3.4 Exceptional
circumstances and
unreasonable conditions
Law 3.8(a) provides that
it is solely for the umpires
together to decide whether
conditions of GW&L OR
exceptional circumstances
mean it would be dangerous
OR unreasonable for play
to take place. Thus far, this
Guidance has considered
‘dangerous’ conditions
and the test to determine
them, as set out in the
Laws. Clearly anything that
is ‘dangerous’, whether
otherwise ‘reasonable’ or
‘unexceptional’, will preclude
any play. What we will now
consider is the meaning of
‘exceptional circumstances’
or ‘unreasonable’.
Law 3.8(c) provides that:
‘Conditions shall be regarded
as unreasonable if, although
posing no risk to safety, it
would not be sensible for
play to proceed’.
That it is raining heavily does
not necessarily mean the
conditions have become
dangerous, although they
may have done so, but most
umpires (and players) would
consider such conditions to
be unreasonable and would
expect umpires to suspend
or not to start/resume play.
Tom Smith’s Cricket
Umpiring and Scoring Laws
of Cricket (2000 Code 4th
Edition) says on page 43
that there could be other
situations where it would
be dangerous for play to
Law 3.8(a) states that
proceed – (eg a large swarm
conditions are not to be
of bees invading the field of
regarded as either dangerous play) or unreasonable but
or unreasonable merely
not dangerous – (eg waiting
because they are not ideal.
for paramedics to come to
administer aid to a player who
has collapsed on the field).
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