Once an umpire decides that action needs to be taken, there is a simple process to follow. He will inform his colleague, and jointly they will approach the Captain of the player concerned and inform him that a report will be made. This may be done at the time, or after the match. They will also inform the opposing Captain after the match.

Ideally a report should be agreed and signed by both umpires, but it will be acceptable to send a report with a single signature provided that both umpires’ names are stated, or if only one official umpire has been present at the game. Only one report per incident is required, although in serious cases two would be preferable. The report should then be sent within 7 days to the Child Welfare Officer using the address at the bottom of the form. That is all the action that is required.

Reports should be clear and concise, and black ink should be used to facilitate photocopying. Particular emphasis should be placed on the correct spelling of the names of those involved, as reference may be made to the report in subsequent hearings of the Disciplinary Committee.

A brief factual account of the events being reported is required, including where relevant:

• The state of the game at the time i.e. the time, score, overs, etc.
• Action taken when the incident occurred, e.g. were captains and colleague involved?
• Details of any actual conversations which took place.

The following things are reportable offences, but the list is by no means exhaustive. Umpires are actively encouraged to report things which might not have been reported in previous seasons.

• Time wasting by either side
• Abuse of cricket ground, equipment or clubhouse
• Showing dissent at an umpire’s decision
• Using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of obscene gestures (It is acknowledged that there will be verbal exchanges between players in the course of play. Rather than seeking to eliminate these exchanges entirely, umpires will continue to look to use common sense to defuse situations)
• Excessive appealing or charging or advancing towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
• Inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play
• Throwing the ball at or near someone in an inappropriate and dangerous manner
• Anything that results in a ball being changed apart from under normal circumstances
• Anything that results in a bowler being taken off
• Anything that results in penalty runs apart from hitting a helmet on the ground
• Any act of violence, attempted act of violence or threat of violence at any time