The Best Seat In The House By The WICUA Executive

The Best Seat in the House

5 Questions with President Vivian Johnson

We always see them raising the finger, signaling boundaries, or calmly managing the pressure on the field. But what is life really like behind the counters?

Today, we’re getting to know Vivian Johnson a little better. From their earliest aspirations to how they mentally switch off from the game, here is their story:

The Spark: Why did you become an umpire, and what was your original aspiration?

I became a cricket umpire because of my tremendous love for cricket. As a young man, I aspired to represent Jamaica as a capable batsman and a crafty off-spin bowler. At eighteen years old, I attended teachers' college, but I did not pursue opportunities to play for the senior cup teams that might have helped me achieve that ambition.

During my three years at The Mico Teachers' College, I played cricket for the institution, including participation in the then Junior Cup competition. Upon leaving college, I decided to become an umpire. When I looked at the umpires on the panel at the time, most were older men. I reasoned that if I started then, it would take about twenty years to reach the first-class level.

In fact, it took me only thirteen years to get there. However, I could have achieved that milestone even sooner had I not taken a five-year break from umpiring after leaving the teaching profession to work in the private sector.

The Pinnacle: What is your greatest achievement out in the middle so far and why?

My greatest achievement as an umpire came in 1997 when I officiated in the first-class international match between Jamaica and the Indian Test team at Sabina Park. This match was played immediately before the First Test and featured all the members of the Indian team who subsequently participated in that Test match.

The Jamaican team was captained by Courtney Walsh and included players such as Jimmy Adams, Robert Samuels, Robert Haynes, Laurie Williams, and Franklyn Rose. The Indian team was captained by Sachin Tendulkar and featured cricketing greats such as Mohammad Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble. My umpiring partner was Norman Malcolm.

The Indian players showered us with praise and commended us as two young umpires officiating such an important international fixture and performing well. Although I later officiated in several unofficial One-Day Internationals involving the West Indies and other international teams, served as third and fourth umpire in two official One-Day Internationals between the West Indies and Ireland, and officiated in another first-class international match between Jamaica and the Australian Test team led by Ricky Ponting in 2007, I still regard the match against India as the highlight of my umpiring career.

It was my first major international assignment, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. For those three days, I had the best seat in the house, surrounded by some of the greatest players in world cricket.

The Dream Venue: Where is your favorite ground to umpire, and what makes it special?

Naturally, my favorite ground is Sabina Park in Jamaica. As a Jamaican, it holds special significance for me. It is our premier international cricket venue and a ground rich in history.

There is always a special feeling when officiating at Sabina Park. The massive stands, the atmosphere, and the aura of the venue make every match a memorable experience.

Unplugging: When you’re completely away from the boundary ropes, what hobbies or activities do you pursue to mentally unplug?

Throughout my umpiring career, I was always professionally employed, first as a teacher and later in the private sector. My work often kept me occupied, sometimes seven days a week.

Beyond my professional responsibilities, my wife and I spent a great deal of time with our sons while they were growing up. We regularly played tennis together on Saturday mornings, and we also enjoyed family weekends on Jamaica's north coast, where we relaxed and spent quality time together.

The Next Gen: What is your #1 piece of advice for young, aspiring umpires looking to pick up the counter?

My biggest piece of advice to young umpires is to be patient. Cricket umpiring is a long-term commitment. Success requires dedication, hard work, a genuine love for the sport, and a willingness to serve the game.

Reaching the top does not happen overnight. It takes many years of practical experience on the field, combined with a commitment to achieving the highest levels of qualification. An essential aspect of umpiring is maintaining a thorough knowledge and understanding of both the Laws of Cricket and the specific playing conditions that govern each competition.

This knowledge enables an umpire to make correct decisions both on and off the field when called upon to do so. Umpires must also prepare themselves properly, both mentally and physically, for every match. This includes ensuring that all necessary equipment is organized and checked the day before the game to avoid unnecessary issues on match day.