In cricket, what happens if both on-field umpires are unable to perform their duties for some reason?

Question

I believe that if one of the on-field umpires is unwell or injured, the third umpire will take his place and the fourth umpire will act as the TV umpire. What happens if both on-field umpires cannot take the field. Does the third and fourth umpires take over? Who adjudicates decisions referred to the third umpire? The match referee? Lastly, what happens if three out of 4, or all 4 umpires are unable to perform, or choose to boycott the game for some reason. Is the game called off/suspended, or are replacement umpires brought in?

Answer 1

They will be replaced for their respective positions. I have not read the rule book but it's a matter of common sense.

Answer 2

Why don't they abandon the game and go and watch something really exciting like lawn green bowling or curling?

Answer 3

Well if both on-field umpires are incapacitated, they would swap roles with the third and fourth umpire. However, if they were incapacitated in such a way that they couldn't perform these duties, then I would presume that one umpire would adjudicate at the bowlers end, and a senior pro from the club hosting the game would stand at square leg, whilst the remaining umpire performed the TV umpire role, until suitable replacements could be brought in.

Replacements would be found from somewhere, possibly even from the players themselves.

Answer 4

Depending on the circumstances, usually ICC has replacement umpires but usually in friendly matches and less competitive matches they would proby post pone it until ICC organise new umpires or until the regular umpires can perform their duties