Of the 26 umpires on the English first-class list in season 2001, all but one had played professional cricket.

The transition to officiating appears so seamless that you might think that most cricketers simply hang up their playing boots one night and re-emerge from the pavilion the following morning with a white coat on.

Yet, it is only in recent years that umpires wishing to join the first-class list have been required to undertake Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers examinations.

"Nine of the current crop are ACU&S qualified, among them John Hampshire, Barrie Leadbeater and John Holder," said chairman Barrie Stewart-King.

"However, we recognise that ex-players have a head start, and our overriding philosophy is that all umpires should be as highly trained as possible, and passing our courses will give the recreational umpire the best chance of progressing."

The organisation, formed in 1953, has grown to become the world's largest body dedicated to the training, assessment, examination and grading of umpires and scorers.

It is recognised and part-funded by the ECB, who insist that only ACU&S members officiate in its recreational cricket competitions.

There are three membership grades for both umpires and scorers; Affiliate, Intermediate and Qualified, the last two attained through taking various courses and exams.

"We want people who are dedicated," said senior ACU&S instructor Peter Stevens at Moseley Cricket Club in Solihull.

"It's a 16-week course and we assiduously work our way through the 42 laws of cricket, addressing different scenarios in open-ended discussions.

"We then follow up with homework, mock exams and finally the real exam."

Tough assignment

Fellow instructor Wally Clarke said: "It's a learning curve and, unlike the exams, it shouldn't be hard work.

"After all, if they don't enjoy the course, then they probably won't want to become an umpire."

So which area do his pupils have most difficulty with, the lbw laws?

"No, it's things like bat/pad catches or caught behind appeals with the wicketkeeper standing up.

"However, we do insist they understand both the lbw and no ball laws, and to qualify, candidates must pass these sections."

Colin Mackenzie, already a qualified scorer, is taking the course: "I've been connected with cricket since I was eight and I'm too old to play now but I still learn something every week.