Umpiring numbers in cricket have been in serious decline.

As workload increases on umpires at the top levels of the game, recruitment is in decline.

New Zealand Cricket's annual report noted there was a significant decrease in the number of new umpires introduced last season.

"Simultaneously the number of 'active' umpires also dropped by 22% across the country, signalling an area of concern," NZC chairman Sir John Anderson said in the NZC annual report.

"A strategic plan to recruit and retain umpires is a priority for National Umpiring Manager Brian Aldridge, and the board of the New Zealand Cricket Umpires' Association, in the coming year," he said.

The summer of 2000/01 had been the busiest yet with 609 appointments, and 251 intermediary appointments, made to a total of 270 matches.

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