David Shepherd demonstrating the classic, ECB approved technique for pinting.

This article refers to Pinting (umpires). For the article on Pinting (post-match drinks) click here.

Pinting is a colloquial term for the action taken by an umpire when a batsman is deemed to be out. The word itself is a Doric derivative of the English word Pointing and is descriptive, in that, an umpire will pint (point), either at the batsman involved, or in an upwards direction, although some umpires  may employ a variety of pinting "displays".

Pinting displays

Any flamboyant movements made during pinting can be said to constitute a display. Neutral umpires prefer a display as a method of establishing their identity or to foster an atmosphere of good humour. Players on Umpire duty may rely on displays as a source of comfort when required to give a team mate out.

• The Wagging Finger display is common and involves, as the name implies, wagging the finger with a vibrating action. This display is believed to mimic the action of an arrow after impact with a target.

• The Shrug (or Apology) display is more common amongst players on Umpire duty. The pinted finger is accompanied by a shoulder shrug or shaking of the head.

• The Slow Death involve the slow raising of the finger in a semi-circular motion. The final direction of the pint is optional, professional umpire Steve Bucknor, for example, prefers to pint at the sky.

• The Gunfighter is one of the more aggressive displays and is rarely used. It involves the umpire drawing an imaginary pistol and simulating the shooting of the batsman.

• The Pre-delivery is a variation of The Slow Death that begins during the bowler's run-up and is timed to conclude moments before the ball hits the pad or takes an (imaginary or otherwise) edge. It can be disguised, if it is not required, as a swatting of an insect or the actual pinting finger can be redirected to a nostril or ear.

• The Get Out and Never Darken My Towels Again display angers dismissed batsmen the most. The umpire pints directly and aggressively at the batsman then redirects the pint towards the pavillion. This may even have a "Now, f**k off!!" added for good measure.

The history of pinting

Why an umpire points at a dismissed batsman in the first place, may have it's origins in Mongol ruled China in the 13th century. The Mongols played a game called Khiriqet, believed by many historians to be the earliest form of cricket (and origin of the name). One player tossed a severed head of a vanquished foe in the direction of two enemy prisoners, who attempted to bat the head out of the Mongol encampment using heavy axes. Both "batsmen" would swing wildly at the head, often killing each other in their attempts. However, if a batsman was successful, he was allowed to live another day, but if both failed (and survived), then the "bowler" would point at the batsman who had made the least impressive effort, who would immediately be castrated. The surviving, unsuccessful, batsman was then allowed a drink of wine followed by castration.

Pinting displays are thought to have been the invention of The Rt. Hon. Reginald Withycombe, the legendary Yorkshire umpire who was most famous for his multiple dismissals of Dr. W.G. Grace in all the great man's innings against Yorkshire. When required to give the good doctor out, Withycombe was forced, by Grace's customary refusal to leave the crease, to indicate extravagantly to the crowd with increasingly eccentric finger movements, thus threatening to disgrace the famous cricketer before his adoring public.

The Grades witnessed it's first pinting display at a game between Lad's Club and Crescent at Woodside in 1978. The bowler was Bill Stables Jnr and his father, Bill Stables Snr was the standing umpire. Stables Jnr was in the middle of his run up when his father began the display that was to become his trademark, The Pre-delivery. The Pre-delivery display was unique in that batsman knew it was coming before they even came to the crease. On this first occasion, the batsman was given out LBW just as the ball left the bowler's hand.