Umpires: An Endangered Species

A great sense of excitement is seen around,

As soon as the decision makers enter the cricketing ground

For these species the first welcome is absolute grand,

Taking their positions; perpendicular to the ground they stand

Settling things down; they have the very first say

The crowd goes berserk hearing them spell out ”Gentleman play!”

Now everything is set with the ground drenched in sun shine

Multitasking starts with eyes set straight and on ”some part of foot behind the line”.

Swingy conditions, bowling side appeals and cries

Flat pitches, batsman on top; the bowler literally dies

Behind their fitness a really productive secret lies

For every occasion they carry out a different exercise.

On the playing field they have no friends, no foes

Throughout the match they have to be right up on their toes

With no slow motions things move on at the speed of rocket

Split second analysis & the finger goes up or half way back into the pocket.

The first session and situation is absolutely crunch

Two hours of hard work; now the voice comes out ”Gentleman time for lunch”

His actions always spoke; he is the most famous name ever heard

Stood apart with that famous white cap; he is the highly respectable ”Dickie Bird”

Making his presence felt all around, he was the very special one

Hilarious on the field, signalling 4’s and 6’s with great lot of fun

If you want to see him dance around just bring the score to 111…………

Bringing great humour; he made the world realise the importance of a “Nelson” (David Shepherd)

With Right arm held to his side, elbow 90 degrees bent;

He was India’s favourite son

Brought us pride all these years, he is none other than the cool & calm ‘‘Srinivas Venkataraghavan ”

Bowlers keep on appealing; Batsmen forever have to hold their breath

Alas! The left hand finger is raised ever so slowly, yes he is our own Mr ”Slow Death’’ (Rudi Koertzen)

Big 6 feet 5 representing the Caribbean; from the front he led

Solid was his personality; putting all the controversies to bed

Yes the finger did go up but at first the is a special ”Nod of the head’’ (Steve Bucknor)

Belonging to our neighbouring country he resembles the fiery ”Waqar”

Making sound decisions when mattered, he is Pakistan’s ”Aleem Dar”

Here comes Taufel; the current best and the youngest bloke in the town

Already a legend of ”five consecutive ICC Umpire of the Year crown”

For him umpiring is total fun; and every action artistically defined

Raise your crooked finger Mr Billy because you’re never too far behind!

One bad decision & there are cries of wishing you good bye

Believing in the concept that technology never tells a lie

Thinking it as the best tool on which we can always rely

No technology in the world is 100% perfect neither “Snicko” nor even ”Hawk-eye”

They are our ”Aces” they are our ”Trumps”

A salute to all who have ended their day with the golden words of ”Gentlemen that’s stumps”

Let’s have Minimum use of technology and for on-field umpires ”All rights reserved”.

These are the rarest of rare species which should be deeply, dearly & richly preserved

Imagine the game where there no umpires at the wicket!!!

It would be as sad as ”our lives without the beautiful game called Cricket”