AFTER last Friday's wintry weather of snow, hail and rain, I was surprised to see just how many games actually started the following day.

All credit to the groundsmen who put in the hard work to get the games on and, in some cases, to no avail as showers interrupted further work and some games were finally called off – largely due to waterlogged outfields.

For the first time this season, the nine-point guide to ground, weather and light – issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board Association of Cricket Officials (ECB ACO) – has come into effect with umpires having to determine whether the grounds are fit, and whether it would cause any actual or foreseeable risk of injury to any player or umpire if the game was played.

As umpires inspected the grounds, players were heard to say 'we have played in worse'.

Well that may have been the case in previous years but not now.

There are strict guidelines to follow, regardless of what went on previously or whether both teams want to play.

It's now entirely up to the umpires. If any one of these nine points is answered with a 'no' then play can’t take place until the problem has been solved, in spite of players' wishes or state of the game.

Umpires have to be sure in their own minds that bowlers can bowl safely. This includes the whole of their delivery, from the moment they start their run up to gaining control of their movement after delivery of the ball.

Meanwhile, batsmen and fielders should be able to move freely without slipping.

All areas of the ground are to be inspected, including that immediately outside the boundary over which fielders may need to pass as they endeavour to field or catch the ball.

I have already heard of some umpires being criticised for the decisions they made.

This is not a Bolton League rule but a national guideline which all members of the ECB ACO have been asked to follow. Umpires also have to contend with the the ECB 'Get the Game On' programme where games can be altered to accommodate weather-related problems.

|The Bolton League does that already with overs able to be reduced and new targets set.

No one likes to see a game called off but while conditions may not be ideal for play to start, or continue, they have to be safe and that has to be foremost in the umpires' minds.