I have recently received a few comments from captains about umpires not being in the correct position to give a run out.

The umpire at square leg, or striker’s end umpire as it is known, now doesn’t have to move apart from being aware of where the ball has gone so he can avoid being hit by the return throw and yet still keep an eye on the batter’s running.

As for the bowler’s end umpire, years ago he was expected to move so that he was square on to the popping crease, which was classed as a suitable position to be in to give a ‘run-out’ decision.

Now that is no longer necessary. His movement doesn’t have to be in line with the popping crease as most players seem to think.

The popping crease is the line used to judge run-outs where the bat has to be over the back edge of the crease, not on the front edge.

It is not always possible for an umpire to get into that position because he is usually stood back behind the stumps, and to move to get in line is almost impossible in a short time.

As long as the umpire is stationary, he is classed as being in a suitable position to make a decision. That means he can stand at 45 degrees to the popping crease or even actually stand still behind the stumps.

The latter is not ideal, but still possible. Standing still helps the umpire focus and it is easier to see the position of the bat and, of course, the fair breaking of the wicket by the wicketkeeper or fielder.

Yes, sometimes it’s tight, especially with direct throws that hit the stumps, but grassroots umpires don’t have the benefit of TV replays or review systems and players have to accept that. What matters is the opinion of the umpire.

Players seem to think by appealing from the boundary will convince the umpire the batter is out. They are in no real position to see what is going on and all it does is put pressure on the umpires.