The
Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers (commonly known as the ACU&S) was set up by the umpire Tom Smith as the Association of Cricket
Umpires (the
scorers were included in the title several years later), in order to provide training and advice to
cricket officials. It had a membership exceeding 8,000 in countries all over the world before it was merged with the ECB Officials Association in 2007 (see below).
Laws of Cricket
The textbook,
Tom Smith's Cricket Umpiring and Scoring, has had multiple reprints and has been entirely rewritten to create the 2000 Code
Laws of Cricket. The ACU&S also has the duty of assigning qualified umpires and scorers to cricket matches around the world. It is funded by membership fees, sponsorship, advertising in its quarterly newsletter
How's That and the profits from selling official umpire and scorer accessories, such as ties, shirts and trousers.
Merger
In December 2007 the membership of the ACU&S voted (67% for, 33% against on a low turnout) to merge with the England and Wales Cricket Board Officials Association . This ended a period of uncertainty during which various claims were made both about the Association's financial stability and its internal governance. This new organisation eventually became the ECB Association of Cricket Officials. The move was criticised by some who viewed it a cynical move by the ECB as a means to secure additional funding by Sport England as well as by overseas members who believed that...
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