Sticky Wicket - December 2016

Sticky Wicket Newsletter of the South Australian Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association Established 1911

December 2016 Edition

All in the family Merry Christmas, Folks!

Farewell George Sticky Wicket—December 2016 Edition

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Contents December2016

3

From the President

4

By George — he was a beaut!

6

Laughs from Mr Green

7

Front Foot: The Law That Changed Cricket

9

Is this a first?

11

Events Calendar

facebook.com/sacricketumpiresandscorers

@SACAUmpires

SACA Umpiring Coordinator Sarah Fry (appointments, availabilities, reports, votes and match coaches) 8300 3212 sfry@saca.com.au SACA Information Line (including details relating to inclement weather) 1900 950 598

Sticky Wicket Editor Kristen Thomas 0414 326 978 cricketwidow@y7mail.com

SACUSA Committee Main Contacts President Tony Trist 0408 828 129 Vice President Edward Branson 0448 689 976 Secretary: Michial Farrow 0435 872 215 secsacusa@hotmail.com Treasurer: Lynton Donisthorpe 0418 317 856

Patron Neil Dansie OAM

COVER PHOTO: On November 21 several representatives of SACUSA attended the funeral of our 1976 Life Member, George Thomas. George was remembered by family, the cricket community and the 8 Ball community as a wonderfully generous man who always had time for anyone needing a hand or guidance in sports officiating. You can read a little about George and his cricket contribution on Page 4.

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From the President Firstly, I’m certain that all of you by now would be aware that Neil Poulton has resigned from SACA. I’m sure many of our members would join with me to thank Neil for his commitment to advancing umpiring in South Australia for nearly the whole of the past decade. Naturally SACUSA wish Neil all the best for his future.

With Neil’s departure I can assure you that SACUSA will continue to work with SACA during the transition period to help grow and develop umpiring within SACUSA and across SA. Unfortunately the Blind Cricket match was cancelled due to the wet weather. There are moves afoot to reschedule the match to either January or February — we’ll keep you posted as soon as we know which date is locked in. This is a wonderful opportunity to support a fantastic form of the game while also developing new skills.

SACUSA’s support of this initiative - which helps our State level Blind Cricket team train is very important. Let’s do our best to assist where we can.

Please contact Michael Williamson if you find you can play when the date is announced. Your help is very much appreciated and does make a difference.

For those who were able to attend the second day/night Test match, I hope you enjoyed the occasion.

I’m especially looking forward to next year when the England team arrives for the Ashes, and this week’s news that the 2nd Test in Adelaide will be a day/night format is historic - another world first for the City of Churches.

Adelaide once again is playing host to the Cricket Australia Male Under 19 Championships, which are nearing their end as I write this report.

Just around the corner, BBL season starts again, with the Adelaide Strikers starting their campaign on the 21st December against the Brisbane “Heat”.

Also, the Women’s BBL started its second season on December 10 with the Strikers playing the Renegades. A win to our SA girls was fantastic!

I would like to thank all our members for their continuing support of SACUSA and I hope all our members and their families have a safe and wonderful break over the festive season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from SACUSA. SACUSA President,

Tony Trist Sticky Wicket—December 2016 Edition

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By George!

He was a beaut!

It may not have been until partway through the first decade of the 21st century that George Thomas was presented with a set of prestigious Life Member Stumps from our Association, but in truth George was honoured originally in 1976 for, by then, over twenty years of dedicated contribution to cricket umpiring. He joined our organisation in 1954 at the age of 21, and the positive impression he made on many of our current members who went on to attain high level appointments was considerable. Life Members Bob Woods, Peter Weddell and Peter Cronin - among others - share wonderful memories of the support George provided to them in their journeys through the umpiring pathway.

One of the most amazing parts of George’s story in cricket umpiring is that his entire career was conducted while having to wear a built-up shoe, due to the fact that his skeleton was not able to develop correctly after a major childhood illness. Although many people would assume that George must have contended with severe pain at times while standing for hours to officiate, it has so far

proved impossible to find anyone who can recall George ever complaining about any discomfort whatsoever. A bout of hip joint tuberculosis in the 1930s, when he was barely more than a baby, resulted in George spending approximately eight years living in Estcourt House at Tennyson - a health facility established to care for very sick children. It was here that George spent his formative years until he was eleven - able to access both medical and physiological care to encourage as much growth in his leg as possible.

Astoundingly, George is not the only one of our very dedicated umpires to have worn a built-up shoe throughout his umpiring career. Sheffield Shield umpire, John McMenamin, also required the same support due to a childhood accident that prevented his leg from growing correctly too. At the time that George joined our Association as a very young man, John was approaching the peak of his umpiring, and was very involved in our Association’s operations. John, too, had spent several years at Estcourt House as a child, and would possibly have had similar

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experiences to George. Perhaps, at eleven years his senior, John provided some mentoring to George. While we may never know for certain what the relationship between John and George was, SACUSA is very proud to have in its ranks two gentlemen who not only performed their role as umpires exceedingly well for many years while managing a physical challenge with professionalism and grace, but who also contributed much to the running of SACUA and to mentoring other members.

George with his Life Member certificate & stumps in 2014.

In addition to serving on our Association’s Social and Executive Committees, and acting for a short time as an Umpire Coach, George also was the umpire coordinator for many years of Sunday cricket matches convened by the Hotels Association. According to 1999 Life Member, Peter Cronin, the Hotels competition was a very serious and tough business, with several Grade cricket players refusing to take part because of the high risk of injury when tempers flared on field. Played at Belair National Park, Peter recalls that by volunteering to appoint umpires, George ensured that umpiring opportunities were increased for those who wished to take their training a bit further.

And as Peter did actually gain Test honours, it seems that the Hotels competition was indeed very important for umpire development for some officials.

1986 Life Member, Peter Weddell, recounts that George umpired a single Under 23 match (the equivalent of the current Cricket Australia Futures League), with him during the 1972/73 season. They were treated to some good performances from future First Class players, Wayne Phillips, Andrew Sincock, Graeme Wood, Bruce Laird and Kim Hughes many of who were playing in their first high level

match. Peter remembers that they were both thanked by the players for their umpiring after three days of very hot weather. And they also shared their lunch each day with legendary sports journalist, Mike Coward, who was covering the match for The Advertiser.

Throughout George’s life, he was also performing umpiring duties with the 8 Ball Association of South Australia. In fact, it was in the 8 Ball community that former SACUSA President, Craig Thomas, first met George many years before he crossed his path in cricket circles. George coached Craig in 8 Ball umpiring in the 1990s, so it was a welcome experience to catch up with George again in the new century and find that George was as admired in cricket as he was in 8 Ball. Several people from the 8 Ball Association spoke in glowing terms about George at his funeral, as did both Peter Weddell and Max O’Connell from SACUSA. In his later years George suffered a stroke, and a certain degree of old age dementia. But in 2014, when Craig, Bill Penley and Max Bartlett visited him in his aged care facility, George was still happy to chat about the spirit of enjoyment he received from his involvement in sport, even if he didn’t recall exact details. And that’s the great thing about George - it’s all about his spirit of fun and kindness and competition - and it lives on in the memories of his friends at SACUSA.

George at his party best— possibly in the 1970s.

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Laughs from Mr Green There was a man who had worked all his life, was really miserly and saved all his money, spending it only when absolutely necessary.

He became ill and just before he died he said to his wife, "When I die, I want you to take all my money and put it into the casket with me. I want to take my money to the afterlife with me."

His wife promised him, with all her heart, that when he died she would put the money into the casket with him.

Well, it wasn't long before he died.

At the funeral, he was stretched out in the casket, and his wife was sitting at the front in black, and her friend was sitting next to her.

When the service was over, the undertakers came up to close the casket, but the man’s wife appealed, “Wait a minute please!”

She had with her a box and she gently placed it in the casket.

The undertaker then locked the casket down and took it to the hearse.

The wife’s friend said, "I know you weren't fool enough to put all that money in there with your husband."

The loyal wife replied, "Listen, I can't go back on my word. I promised him that I would put that money into the casket with him."

The friend said, "You mean to tell me you put all that money into the casket with him?"

"I sure did," replied the wife, "A promise is a promise. I got it all together, put it into my bank account and wrote him a cheque. If he can cash it, he can spend it."

Cricket as explained to a foreigner.

You have two sides, one out in the field and one in.

Each player that's in the side that's in goes out, and when they’re out they come in and the next player goes in until they’re out.

When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out.

Sometimes you get players still in and not out.

When a player goes out to go in, the players who are out try to get them out, and when they’re out, they go in and the next player goes out and goes in.

There are two people called umpires who stay out all the time and they decide when the players who are in are out.

When both sides have been in and all the players have been out, and both sides have been out twice after all the players have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game.

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Front Foot: The Law That Changed Cricket

An interesting read at Christmas for the cricket official in your life

We all know that there’s usually a plethora of cricket books on the market at Christmas time, but this year, perhaps, none is more apt for giving to a cricket official that Doug Ackerly’s new publication, Front

Foot: The Cricket.

Law

That

Changed

With a forward written by Ian Chappell, it covers the examination of the Front Foot law, which currently states that a portion of the bowler’s front foot must be partially behind the bowling crease when the ball is released. More than fifty years ago the law was changed it formerly stated that the front foot could land anywhere as long as the back foot landed behind the bowling crease.

Ackerly argues that the current form shortens the delivery stride, which may cause an increased likelihood of a player suffering stress fractures because the front foot must absorb a multiplication of the body weight on its own when the bowler lands.

A great article about this book can be found online at http://www.abc.net.au/news/201612-05/no-ball-rule-'hurtinga u s t r a l i a ' s - p a c e bowlers'/8092284 Published by the Australian Fishing Network, the book can be purchased online or in store at a variety of retailers for around $30 to $35.

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The beginning of the cricket season also signals the time when SACUSA membership fees are due - and we’d appreciate payment by December 31 if possible. If not possible, no worries - we’re happy to work with you to create a payment plan. Just contact our Treasurer, Lynton Donisthorpe, on 0418 317 856 or at lyncar@primus.com.au to make payment arrangements.

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Is this a first?

Our beloved Peter Raftery, who immerses himself in a variety of cricket roles as often as possible, has stood in his 200th SACA match this season - a fantastic milestone for any umpire. However, there’s another quirky fact in which Peter is involved - and it could possibly be a first for SACUSA. Peter’s grandson, James Cushway, is also a SACA umpire now and this is possibly the first time that a grandparent and grandchild have been active SACUSA members at the same time in SACUSA’s 105 year history.

James batting at the recent Stanton Cup match

On November 20, James was appointed to umpire the Ray Sutton Shield final with hills resident, Phil Sanders. (Phil by the way, has just discovered that he’s a fourth cousin of SACUSA Committee Member, Craig Thomas. It’s reported that Phil is recovering from the news as best as can be expected).

Records show that one of our founding members, Andy Hele, was the patriarch of an umpiring family, with his son, George, umpiring at Test level and his grandson, Ray, umpiring First Class. But Ray’s umpiring was done over the border in Victoria, so he was never a member of our organisation. Current member, Bill Penley, has umpired with his son, David, and they also may be the only father/son combination to have played together in Crockett Shield.

Sticky Wicket loves finding out about family dynasties of cricket officiating, and a list is being collated of all those connections. So if you have a family tree existing within SACUSA, drop us a line with the details. You may even feature in an upcoming issue.

a

James Cushway Sticky Wicket—December 2016 Edition

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December 14th

6pm onwards

SACUSA Christmas General Meeting @ Woodville Cricket Club Partners & family invited (Bring a plate to share)

21st

8.30am to 4.30pm

Big Bash League Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat @ Adelaide Oval

31st

Big Bash League Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Sixers @ Adelaide Oval

January 6th

Big Bash League Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes @ Adelaide Oval

11th

6pm onwards

SACUSA General Member Meeting @ Woodville Cricket Club (free BBQ tea included)

16th

Big Bash League Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades @ Adelaide Oval

26th

One Day International

(Australia Day)

Australia v Pakistan @ Adelaide Oval

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February 1st to 4th

Sheffield Shield Redbacks v WA @ Gliderol Stadium, Glenelg

8th

6pm onwards

SACUSA General Member Meeting @ Woodville Cricket Club (free BBQ tea included)

10th to 13th

Sheffield Shield Redbacks v Victoria @ Adelaide Oval

TBC 22nd

Family Fun Day 1.35pm

Southern Stars v New Zealand T20 @ Adelaide Oval

7

.20pm

Australia v Sri Lanka T20 @ Adelaide Oval

25th to 28th

Sheffield Shield Redbacks v Queensland @ Adelaide Oval

March 8th

6pm onwards

SACUSA General Meeting @ Woodville Cricket Club (free BBQ tea included)

22nd

Evening

Bradman Medal Presentation @ Adelaide Oval

25th &

SACA Premier Cricket Grand Finals

26th

April 14th to 17th

Easter Crockett Shield SACUSA v VCAUSA in Adelaide

May TBC

6-45pm

15th Annual SACUSA Presentation Dinner

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August TBC

SACUSA AGM

*Please note that the SACUSA Golf Day hasn’t yet been scheduled.

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