Association of Cricket Officials Issue 27 | Page 26

Your Letters (continued) Ground, Weather and Light Watching the rain fall reminded me of a question I had meant to ask, regarding the guidance on Ground, Weather and Light. Specifically on the ‘40/30’ guideline for lightning, does the advice to seek shelter when there is ‘40 seconds or less between flash and clap’ allow time to get the covers on? ie ‘When there is 40 seconds or less between seeing a flash of lightning and hearing the associated clap of thunder, get the covers on and seek shelter.’ In which case, at a ground without covers, could you stay on a little longer? Or is it intended that the ground be completely vacated when the storm gets that close? So the umpires might need to call for covers when the gap between flash and clap is, say, 45 seconds, but is clearly decreasing. I appreciate that there are two, potentially conflicting, imperatives in operation here – #GetTheGameOn and safety (overriding all). 26 email us at [email protected] contact us on 0121 446 2710 Again, umpires should err on the side of caution. The guidance booklet does not mention covering the pitch but the presentation includes the lines ‘Do not waste time covering the pitch’ and ‘Do not go near or move metal framed pitch covers or machinery’. This may be perceived to be at variance with Get the Game On, but personally I would rather have a wet pitch and all players and officials safe and well than the other way round.