Umpire’s toolkit: Some of the most commonly used devices by umpires

#2 The ball gauge

It is important even for a ball to maintain its shape, else it will have to be changed. The ball gauge is an instrument that is used to check the shape of the ball. It consists of two rings. One has the minimum acceptable diameter and the other ring has the maximum acceptable diameter mandated by the laws of cricket.

The ball that is put under test should not pass through the minimum acceptable diameter ring whereas it should pass through the maximum diameter ring. If it fails any of the above conditions the ball is subject to change.

Previously used ball gauges were like handcuffs with only the minimum and maximum diameter ring. The one that is shown in the image is being used now. It has additional functionalities that are used to check the spacings between the stumps, the length of a bail and blade size of the bat according to the laws of cricket. Well, this is such an all-rround tool that comes in handy for the on-field umpires.