Training
ECB ACO is the organisation that supports the recruitment, education, development and retention of officials; umpires and scorers in Cricket.
Wiltshire is one of the County Associations of ECB ACO. A number of courses are run between September and April within the county and for details of these courses please visit the Course Dates page on this site or contact the umpires education officer or scorers education officer if you would like to attend any such courses.
Umpires Courses
To view the Umpires courses click here.
ECB ACO offers the following programmes:
Introductory
Provides for supporters, parents and players who want to know more about the game of cricket as either an umpire or scorer.
No prior knowledge or experience is required.
2–4 hours.
An ECB ACO Certificate of Attendance is awarded on successful completion.
Course fee includes all course materials, first year membership of ECB ACO, insurance and CRB check.
Understanding the Umpire
This is a one hour seminar designed by Peter Hemmings of Wiltshire ACO and is currently being presented at the ECB National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough as part of the Cricket Talent Testing programme for the 80 of the best Under 13 yr olds and Under 16 yr olds in the country. It is an ideal vehicle to inform Clubs, their Captains, players and coaches of the role of the umpire and the standards of behaviour required. It is available to clubs at no cost other than expenses.
Young Officials
Provides for individuals between the age of 14 and 25 who would like to umpire or score matches.
No prior knowledge or experience is required.
2–4 hours
An ECB ACO Certificate of Attendance is awarded on successful completion
Course fee includes all course materials, first year membership of ECB ACO, insurance and CRB check
To view courses available in your area click here.
Level 1
Aimed at umpires and scorers who wish to umpire or score matches for their club or possibly entry levels of league cricket.
No prior knowledge or experience is required.
12–16 hours.
For umpires - an ECB ACO Level 1 qualified certificate is awarded on passing a 50 question, multi-choice examination.
For scorers - an ECB ACO Level 1 Certificate is awarded on successful completion of a match record based on a script provided.
Course fee includes all course materials, first year membership of ECB ACO, insurance and CRB check.
Level 1A
Aimed at the umpire who wishes to progress to the League panel.
Level 1 qualification and relevant experience is a pre-requisite.
10-12 hours.
An ECB ACO Level 1A Certificate is awarded on successful completion and discussion of their course workbook and practical experience.
Course fee includes all course materials and workbook.
Level 2C
Aimed at umpires who are suitably experienced, within or below senior or Premier League cricket and who wish to undertake the two day course as continuous professional development.
12-16 hours – county workshops led by recognised and suitably qualified ECB ACO tutors.
Level 2C candidates who subsequently wish to achieve the full Level 2 qualification will be able to by completing a portfolio and undertaking a professional discussion.
An ECB ACO Level 2C CPD certificate is awarded on successful completion and discussion of their CPD portfolio.
Course fee includes all course materials and workbook.
Level 2
Aimed at umpires who are suitably experienced. Must aspire and commit to umpiring Premier League matches.
Level 1 and 1A qualification is a pre-requisite. Must also be approved for the course by the Regional Performance Officer.
Two-day course and up to two year programme including self and peer assessment over a minimum of ten matches plus completion and professional discussion of their portfolio.
An ECB ACO Level 2 qualification certificate is awarded on successful completion.
Course fee includes all course materials and workbook.
Any umpire or scorer wishing to join a Level 2 course should apply in the first instance to their County ACO Education Officer.
Level 3
By nomination and invitation only.
Level 2 qualified and experience of senior/ECB Premier League, aspires to multi-day cricket
Six half-day modules over 18-24 months
ECB ACO Level 3 Umpire certificate is awarded after successful completion of the course and the presentation of a technical report.
Course fee includes all course materials and workbook.
Any umpire or scorer wishing to join a Level 3 Course should apply in the first instance to our County ACO Education Officer.
Scorers Courses
To view the scorers' correspondence course click here.
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WANTED
SCORER!
There’s not much point playing a cricket match unless there is a scorer to record the play!
Could you fulfil this vital role?
Do you already score?
And would you like to know more?
The ECB Association of Cricket Officials
The ECB Association of Cricket Officials (ECB ACO) runs training programmes for both umpires and scorers at all levels – from short introductory courses for beginners to courses for those aspiring to officiate at the highest levels.
Most scorers start out as ‘press-ganged’ scorers - as players when not batting, or when attending matches with friends or family.
The Wiltshire ACO runs ‘Scorebook Entries’ sessions for beginners and Level 1 courses for those who intend to score regularly (either beginners or those with experience). Recent courses have been held in Marlborough, Calne and Royal Wootton Bassett.
Both Pre-season and Mid-season Meetings have been held with sessions on ‘Progressing as a scorer’, ‘Getting the most from the ECB ACO’ and ‘Lineal scoring’.
To find out more about scoring and to join with other scorers, contact Wiltshire ACO Scorers’ Education Officer, Miss Lesley Morgan on 07818 662436 or email lesleyj.morgan@tesco.net.
For details of the scoring courses available click on the link below;
Scorers training courses
CRICKET SCORING
The scorer at a cricket match fulfils a vital role – there’s not much point in playing unless there is someone to record the play!
Scoring is largely a matter of convention – a well-kept scorebook can provide a wealth of information – neatness, accuracy and consistency are required.
Duties of the scorer
ACCEPT the umpire’s signals – if you think there is any confusion, seek clarification during the next break in play
ACKNOWLEDGE the umpires’ signals promptly as soon as the ball is dead – for multiple signals, acknowledge each one separately.
RECORD the play – use the correct symbols and make your entries in the same order every ball.
CHECK with your colleague and in your own book. At the end of an over check runs in that over, cumulative runs off the bowler and the total score. Make other checks whenever possible.
Agree the runs scored and wickets taken with the umpires during intervals and interruptions, at the end of the innings and at the end of the match.
Scorers’ checks
Batsmen’s runs + Bowling Extras (no balls and wides) = Runs off Bowlers
Runs off Bowlers + Fielding Extras (byes and leg byes) + Penalties = Total Score
Before the match
Arrive in plenty of time – the toss may be 30 minutes before the scheduled start. Have all your equipment ready (pens, eraser, clock, Laws, etc.).
Familiarise yourself with the layout of the scoresheet, scorebox, facilities and ground.
Meet your colleague and the umpires.
Discuss:
· the match format, rules and conditions
· the hours of play and intervals
· the master clock and back up
· the boundary and allowances
· how runs, wickets and overs are displayed on the board
· the umpires’ pre-signal
· how you will acknowledge signals
· who won the toss and who is to bat
· team sheets, including young players
During the game
It is NOT your job to update the scoreboard – if there is no scoreboard operator then there are several batsmen with nothing to do! It is merely your job to tell the operator the correct score.
If you are the only scorer at a game do NOT try to record the play in both books – record in one book only (and if possible have someone else who can watch the play with you).
Always record the play in the same order: “bowler, extras, tally and batsman” is suggested.
Use the correct symbols:
· M for maiden, W for wicket maiden
· ? for a dot ball
· w for a wicket if bowler gets credit
· r for byes and s for leg byes
· ¡ for a no ball – will contain a number if hit and run; dot(s) if run but not hit (umpire signals ‘No Ball’ and ‘Bye’)
· ? for a wide ball – with dot(s) in the arms if run (cannot be hit!); w if a wicket falls
Remember to score the one run penalty for a no ball or wide if other runs are scored or a wicket falls.
