Tom Smith’s New Cricket Umpiring and Scoring: the Internationally Recognised and Definitive Guide to the Interpretation and Application of the Laws of Cricket

Tom Smith first wrote his guide for umpires and scorers in 1980. Since then his ‘indispensable’ guide (Richie Benaud) has gone through five fully-revised editions. The ‘new’ Tom Smith is the first to be fully redesigned and updated for the 21st century. Its publication coincides with international recognition that there should be one universal standard for the training of umpires whatever country they operate in. The ‘new’ Tom Smith incorporates the full 2000 Code of the Laws of Cricket with amendments as ratified by the MCC and international and national cricket bodies in 2003. The freshly drawn diagrams are easy to follow and will be of value not only to umpires and scorers, but to all lovers of the game of cricket. As Richie Benaud, the great Australian cricketer and commentator, has said, he never goes without his copy of ‘Tom Smith’. Nor should any spectator who wishes to feel fully qualified in discussing the application of the Laws of Cricket to the game. As Colin Cowdrey, former England captain, wrote, Tom Smith ‘offers clear direction to all umpires and scorers.’ John Arlott, one of the great commentators on cricket, called it ‘the essential guide.’Tom Smith founded the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers in 1953 and served as its General Secretary for 25 years. It now has more than 8,000 members world wide. On his death in 1995 he willed his cricketing ‘bible’ to the Association, who have ensured its continual updating ever since.