Sticky Wicket December 2015

Sticky Wicket December 2015 Edition Newsletter of the South Australian Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association Established 1911

Great cricket reads for gifting

Jolly Christmas Break

Test Umpires Reunite in Adelaide Sticky Wicket—December 2015 Edition

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Your Umpires & Scorers Association SACUSA Committee - Main Contacts

SACA

President: Craig Thomas

0434 165 310

Umpiring & Coaching Manager: Neil Poulton 0416 623 518 or 8300 3211 npoulton@saca.com.au

Vice President: Tony Trist

0408 828 129

Secretary: Michial Farrow

0435 872 215 secsacusa@hotmail.com

Umpiring Coordinator: Sarah Fry (appointments, availabilities, reports, votes and match coaches) 8300 3212 sfry@saca.com.au

0418 317 856

SACA Information Line (including details relating to inclement weather) 1900 950 598

Treasurer: Lynton Donisthorpe Patron: Neil Dansie OAM

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

facebook.com/sacricketumpiresandscorers

@SACAUmpires

Contents Christmas Greeting ............................................................................................................... 3 From the President ............................................................................................................... 4 Book Review —Man for all Seasons ............................................................................... 5 Graham’s Gags ....................................................................................................................... 6 Matching the Match ............................................................................................................. 8 Oh Pellew’s .............................................................................................................................. 9 The Art of Sledging……………………………………………………………………………………………..11 Important Dates ................................................................................................................... 12 Valued Sponsors:

COVER PHOTO: SACUSA 1989 Life Member, Max O’Connell, agreed to feature on our cover this month, posing during the Welcome Breakfast of the recent Test Umpires Reunion which Max, Daryl Harper and Bruce Martin hosted in November.

Sticky Wicket—December 2015 Edition

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Christmas Greeting It has been a great start to the 2015/16 season and umpires have been very busy across numerous different competitions.

As we come into Christmas many are involved in not only the weekly competitions but also the various carnivals and Twenty20 competitions. These carnivals will continue into the beginning of 2016 and will be accompanied by International matches, the Big Bash for men and for the first time, women, and the Sheffield Shield.

Christmas comes and goes but every New Year is unique.

Every time the clock strikes midnight and the calendar changes from one year to the next, it is a moment in time that will never be repeated.

Cherish these moments as they will not come again and enjoy the festive season with your family and friends.

To all of our SACUSA members, umpires and families, we wish you a safe and happy Christmas, but even more, a once in a life time new year.

Neil & Sarah Sticky Wicket—December 2015 Edition

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From the President It’s safe to say that there isn’t much that hasn’t been happening in Adelaide in terms of cricket lately, and we’re all fortunate enough to be living in the best place to enjoy all levels of the game right now.

Adelaide has once again hosted the Cricket Australia Under 19 Male National Championships - which is nearing its end as I write - and we’ve also just seen the four-yearly Test Umpires Reunion held in our great state during the historic world-first Day/Night Test match, complete with pink ball. No doubt all our members will have their own thoughts on these very significant changes to the traditional Test format, w i th arguments for and against the amendments. I’ve heard some strong discussions from both sides, and can sympathise with those who don’t want to see the Test transform. But in a very competitive arena where all sports are vying for the spectator dollar I think new approaches need to be trialled just to see if the modern audience is still satisfied and entertained. It’s important to keep the crowds wanting more cricket.

Speaking of keeping cricket relevant to the viewer, the fast -paced, exciting and highly entertaining Big Bash League (BBL) visits Adelaide again from December 18 when the Adelaide Strikers face the Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval. This season sees the innovation, too, of the Women’s BBL, which is a fantastic step in the evolution of the format. The women’s competition starts a little Sticky Wicket—December 2015 Edition

earlier than the blokes’ contest with December 11 heralding the start of the WBBL and December 17 the commencement date for the guys. The first WBBL in Adelaide will be on Adelaide Oval on New Year’s Eve, where our own Luke Uthenwoldt has been appointed to stand in the match with CA National Development Panel member, Tony Wilds. Congratulations to Luke, and to SACA State Panel members, Cain Kemp and Cory Black, who Yours Truly joins in being appointed to the Adelaide WBBL matches during December and January.

This competition creates even more opportunities for officials travelling on the Umpiring Pathway.

Unfortunately, the December 6 cricket match against Blind Cricket SA was cancelled due to the extreme hot weather. We are looking to reschedule to the Sunday before Christmas, the 20th, which will move us into our festive season break until SACA Premier Cricket continues again from 9 January 2016. I hope all SACUSA members - umpires, scorers, coaches and associates enjoy a wonderful and safe break with their loved ones during the hiatus. The busyness of the season doesn’t look like slowing down, so rest up and recharge before your return next year. I’d like to thank you for your support of SACUSA throughout the cricket season so far, and wish you well during the break and in your 2016 matches.

SACUSA President,

Craig Thomas Page 4

BOOK REVIEW

MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

THE ERIC FREEMAN STORY evident in his prose.

Historian and author, David Jenkins, has penned this new biography of former Australian Test cricketer and Port Adelaide league footballer, Eric Freeman, in time for some lucky cricket lovers to possibly receive it in their Christmas stocking this year.

David is well credentialed to produce The Eric Freeman Story, having already authored several cricket–themed books, including; the NSWCUSA history, No Dazzling Deeds with Bat or Ball (with co-author Ronald Cardwell); Near Death on the Sub-Continent, about Australian Test cricketer Gavin Stevens (from South Australia); and Ken Eastwood: A Life in Cricket. Involved for a significant time with Glenelg District Cricket Club, after having grown up in the area before a move to Sydney, David has this time chosen to focus on a life story lived in ‘opposition’ ranks - at least in terms of grade cricket and SANFL teams. Glenelg and Port Adelaide, in regard to both cricket and football, were passionately competitive in Eric’s playing era of the 1960s and ‘70s, but David’s sporting loyalty to the beachside suburb hasn’t affected his objectivity in conveying Eric’s experiences on paper and he has written this book from a particularly sensitive and respectful position, which is Sticky Wicket—December 2015 Edition

This volume is far more than a statistical collection from the career of, arguably, one of South Australia’s favourite mid 20th century sporting sons. Granted that while it will appeal to those readers keenly interested in purely the athletic feats and exploits of accomplished elite Australian sports people, it will just as easily find a home on the bookshelves of those readers wishing to discover how others overcome adversity to continue living and giving. It contains some chapters which are confrontational and painful, owing to the fact that the documented experiences themselves were devastatingly heartbreaking. This is a human story containing both highlights and breakdowns, making it relatable to most readers, whether they are sportspeople or not. If truth be known, it did cause this reviewer tears and sadness because it’s written in such an easily identifiable fashion.

The bottom line, however, is that the story is inspiring, and is beautifully written for a diverse readership.

Roger Wills (colleague of Eric’s at ABC Radio, and the man David credits with suggesting that he write Eric Freeman’s story) seen here with author, David Jenkins, attending SACUSA’s Hall of Fame Launch Event in 2014.

Copies of this book signed by both David & Eric are available for $40 from cricketbooks.com.au Page 5

Graham’s Gags

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chuckles from the coaching ranks

The snail’s new car A snail goes into a Rolls Royce dealer and says to the salesman, “I want the most expensive Rolls you have.”

“Certainly,” replies the salesman, “This car here is the top of the range model.” “”It’s perfect,” says the snail. “But I want it customised.”

“We offer a full range of upgrades, anything at all. What would you like?” asks the salesman.

“I simply want an ‘S’ painted on this side, one on the other side, and another on the roof.”

“But Sir, whatever for? It will totally ruin the car!”

“Well,” replies the snail, “when I drive down the street, I want people to say ‘Look at that S car go!”

Puns for educated minds I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, and then it dawned on me.

This girl said she recognised me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore.

I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can’t put it down.

I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.

I didn’t like my beard at first but then it grew on me.

Broken pencils are pretty much pointless.

Christmas in Ireland Paddy says to Mick, “Christmas is on a Friday this year.”

Mick says, “Let’s hope it’s not the 13th.”

Two dogs Two dogs are walking along a street. They are passed by a third dog driving a truck load of logs. One turns to the other and says, “He started fetching a stick and built up the business from there.”

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FIVE OLDER LADIES Sitting on the side of the highway, waiting to catch speeding drivers, a police officer sees a car puttering along at 22 kilometres per hour.

Says he to himself, “This driver is just as dangerous as a speeder!” So he turns on his lights and pulls the driver over.

Approaching the car, he notices that there are five old ladies - two in the front and three in the back - wide eyed and white as ghosts.

The driver, obviously confused, says to him, “Officer, I don’t understand. I was doing exactly the speed limit! What seems to be the problem?”

“Ma’am,” the officer replies. “You weren’t speeding, but you should know that driving slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to other drivers.”

“No sir! I was doing the speed limit exactly … Twenty-two kilometres per hour! That’s what it said on the sign just back there,” the old woman says proudly.

The police officer, trying to contain a chuckle, explains to her that 22 is the highway number, not the speed limit.

A bit embarrassed, the woman grins and thanks the officer for pointing out her error.

“But before I let you go, Ma’am, I have to ask … is everyone in this car OK/ These women seem awfully shaken, and they haven’t made a peep this whole time,” the officer asks.

“Oh, they’ll be all right in a minute, Officer. We just got off Highway 189.”

Helicopter ride Bill and his wife, Blanche, went to the local fair every year, and every year Bill would say, “Blanche, I’d like to ride in that helicopter.”

Blanche always replied, “I know, Bill, but that helicopter ride is fifty bucks. And fifty bucks is fifty bucks!”

One year Bill and Blanche went to the fair, and Bill said, “Blanche, I’m 85 years old. If I don’t ride that helicopter I might never get another chance.”

Blanche replied, “Bill, that helicopter ride is fifty bucks. And fifty bucks is fifty bucks.” The pilot overheard the couple and said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and don’t say a word I won’t charge you a penny. But if you say one word, it’s fifty dollars.”

Bill and Blanche agreed and up they went.

The pilot did all kinds of fancy manoeuvres, but not one word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word. When they landed, the pilot turned to Bill and said, “By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I’m impressed!”

Bill replied, “Well, to tell you the truth I almost said something when Blanche fell out, but you know, fifty bucks is fifty bucks.”

Sticky Wicket—December 2015 Edition

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MATCHING THE MATCH NZ & OZ TEST UMPIRES REUNION PASSES THE TEST

Australia’s former Test umpires, accompanied by one New Zealand colleague, who visited SA for the latest Test Umpires Reunion at the historic world’s first day/night Test in November 2015

SACUSA’s Max O’Connell and Kristen Thomas enjoying the Breakfast

New Zealand’s David and Jan Quested, who won the autographed cricket bat in the random draw Sticky Wicket—December 2015 Edition

WA’s Terry Prue winning the inaugural Trans-Tasman Golf Championship at Mt Osmond Golf Club from Kiwi, David Quested, who brought up the tail end of the field

Prez with SACUSA Life Members Peter Cronin and Tony Crafter on Day One of the Test

Bruce Martin and crew at Nepenthe Wines in the Adelaide Hills on the Wine Jaunt Page 8

Oh Pellew’s!!

Snippets from our immediate past Editor

Great News for the Gals The International Cricket Council (ICC) has, for the first time ever, selected four female match officials for the forthcoming Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier series to be played in Bangkok over the next week. Experienced New Zealander Kathy Cross will be joined by Australia’s Claire Polosak, England’s Sue Redfern and West Indies’ Jacqueline Williams, for the qualifier which will see eight sides - China, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and Zimbabwe, fight for the two available spots in the Women’s World Twenty20 series in India next March and April.

(Story courtesy http://www.babushahi.com/news-detail.php?id=53630#jump0 where further details can be found)

BEWARE (because the ball doesn’t)

Photo courtesy cricket.com.au

An Adelaide club cricketer was examined by Cricket Australia (CA) medical staff and team officials after he was struck on the back of the head while bowling to the Australian team in their training session under floodlights on Wednesday ahead of the inaugural day-night Test. The spinner, who plays in the city's top-level club competition, was bowling to Australian batsman Mitch Marsh with a pink ball late in the session at the Adelaide Oval, when he was struck on the back of the head after being unable to stop a powerful drive. The impact was clearly audible even outside the nets.

After the blow, Marsh and nearby teammates David Warner and Steve O'Keefe promptly went to the aid of his player, who initially kept his feet but then dropped to his haunches; training in all four nets stopping while participants gauged the situation. Australia team doctor Peter Brukner was one of the first to assist the player and led him out of the nets for examination after the blow. The player escaped serious injury.

A CA spokeswoman said he was treated for a lacerated ear, the impact of the ball cutting him. While training in the other nets resumed once the player was led away and it was clear he was not seriously injured, Marsh did not immediately return to the batting crease in his net, but eventually resumed batting and completed the session.

(Story written by Jesse Hogan and originally appeared in The Age on 25 November 2015)

Agree or Not? Coinciding with the recent inaugural pink-ball Test match in Adelaide, Cricket Australia (CA) is formally recognising the pioneers of the day-night game, World Series Cricket (WSC). CA announced on Wednesday that the records of World Series players (WSC) will be incorporated into their overall records, though in a separate column. The move ends nearly 40 years of official pretence that WSC did not happen, although most who played in it said it was the toughest cricket they ever played.

(This story, by Greg Baum, originally appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on 25 November 2015 - the remainder of it can be read online at http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-australia-to-formally-recognise-world-series-cricket-20151124-gl779n.html)

[One wonders if there may be odd matches played by Sir Donald Bradman that could be included to lift his meagre batting average to something really respectable! (eg, were matches in Canada included? ) TP].

Sticky Wicket—December 2015 Edition

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Scorers on your wits ————————————— Umpires beware of being queried after the events.

The following is unedited from Notchers’ News, an English Scorers’ Newsletter (http://www.notchers.co.uk/) Worth having a go!

The Notchers’ XI (batting first) 1. The batsmen have crossed on their third run, after which a fielder throws at the stumps but a batsman deliberately deflects the return throw with his bat. The ball goes on to cross the boundary. On appeal the batsman is given out. How many runs would be scored?

2. A fielder returns to the field at the start of an over without permission from the umpires: the striker hits the ball and has completed two runs and just started on the third when that fielder returns the ball to the wicket-keeper who removes the bails with the non-striker still short of his ground.

How many runs should be added to the total?

3. … and how many acknowledgements should the scorer give?

4. At the start of an eventful over Team A have scored 87 for three.

From the first ball the batsmen run two and the umpire signals Leg-bye; the second is called and signals No ball and the striker edges the ball to the boundary; the third ball is driven to extra-cover and there is no run; ball 4: the batsmen run three, but the umpire gives one batsman out Run Out before he has completed the third run; the other umpire signals Short run; ball 5: the batsmen take a quick single; just before the batsmen have crossed a fielder throws at the stumps, the ball misses and goes on to cross the boundary by which time the batsmen have completed one run; ball 6: the batsmen run two and the umpire signals Wide ball; ball 7: the striker hits the ball for six; ball 8: the batsmen run three and the umpire signals No ball and Bye; ball 9: the striker plays a leg-glance and the umpire signals Boundary four.

At the end of this over what is Team A’s total?

5. … and how many wickets have they lost altogether?

6. … and how many runs would be debited against the bowler?

7. … and how many extras were added to the total during that over?

8. The striker hits the ball hard at short-leg; it deflects off short-leg’s helmet, flies high in the air while the batsmen run and complete one run before the bowler catches it.

How many runs should be added to the total?

9. How many inches are there between the bowling crease and the start of the protected area?

10. The striker plays no shot at the third ball of an over; the ball deflects off the striker’s pad towards fine-leg and the batsmen run. After they have crossed a fielder throws the ball at the stumps, the ball misses and goes on to cross the boundary. How many runs should be added to the total?

11 . … and who should receive the next ball? (Striker 5; Non-striker 10) Extras: For how many of the umpires’ signals is the umpire required to repeat the signal after the ball is dead?

Notchers Total Score: ............................

The Scratchers’ XI (batting second) 1. In a 3-day match Team A are dismissed for 316. How many runs must Team B score to avoid the possibility of being asked to follow on?

2. The batsmen have crossed on their third run after which a fielder throws at the stumps, but a batsman accidentally deflects the return throw with his bat. The ball goes on to cross the boundary.

How many runs would be scored?

3. The striker hits the ball high in the air and the batsmen have crossed on the second run before the ball is caught? How many runs should be added to the total?

4. An U18 fast bowler completes his opening spell after he has bowled six overs. How many total overs must he wait before he can start his next spell from the same end?

5. … and what is the maximum number of overs he may bowl in his second spell?

6. … assuming he bowls that maximum how many more overs may he bowl in that day?

7. A bowler has bowled 7.4 overs which included five No balls and four Wide balls.

How many balls has he delivered altogether?

8. The striker hits the ball hard at short-leg; it deflects off short-leg’s helmet and goes on to cross the boundary. How many runs should be added to the total?

9. A No ball is deflected to third man; the batsmen run two before the return throw hits the helmet lying on the ground behind the wicket-keeper. How many runs should be added to the total?

10. What is the minimum number of people who should be present when the toss is being made?

11. How many different methods of dismissal are credited to the bowler?

Extras: For how many of the umpires’ fourteen official signals is the umpire required to use only one arm?

Scratchers Total Score: ............................

RESULT …………………………………............................................

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The Art of Sledging

By J Harold © 2008 As promised in an earlier edition of Sticky Wicket, we include here some quotes from a book which SACA umpire, Peter Raftery, recommended called The Art of Sledging.

Peter thought our readership might enjoy the content. Our copy was bought as a Kindle ebook from amazon.com.au. The author of the book credits the origin of the term ‘sledge’ as being known by SA’s own Ian Chappell, who he claims puts the origin as Adelaide during one of the mid 1960s Sheffield Shield seasons. Apparently, “a cricketer who swore in the presence of a lady was considered ‘as subtle as a sledgehammer’ … [and] this was then abbreviated to a much more convenient one syllable ‘sledge’ …[before being] transferred to on-field behaviour.”

We hope you enjoy the following quotes from the book: [After replacing a bail after he was dismissed] ‘’Twas the wind which took thy bail off, good sir.’ [To which the umpire replied] ‘Indeed, and let us hope thy wind helps you back to the pavilion.”

[Greg Thomas to Viv Richards, educating Sir Viv in the appearance of the ball he was supposed to be hitting] - ‘It’s round, red and weighs about five ounces.’

[Viv Richards to Greg Thomas after hitting the ball for six] - ‘You know what it looks like, now go fetch it.’

[Tail-end batsman, Craig McDermott, to Phil Tufnell immediately after being dismissed by him] - ‘You’ve got to bat on this in a minute, Tuffers. Hospital food suit you?’

[Fred Trueman, speaking to a group of Aussie fielders who were standing very close while he was batting at the crease] - ‘If you bastards don’t back off, I’ll appeal against the light.’

Sticky Wicket—December 2015 Edition

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IMPORTANT DATES 

Friday 18 December 2015 BBL Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars @ Adelaide Oval 7.10pm

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Saturday 19 December 2015 - final round of before the break begins

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Sunday 20 December 2015 Match against a team from Blind Cricket SA @ Adelaide Uni Oval

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Thursday 31 December 2015 WBBL Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers @ Adelaide Oval 2.10pm

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Thursday 31 December 2015 BBL Adelaide Strikers v Sydney Sixers @ Adelaide Oval 6.40pm

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Friday 1 January 2016 WBBL Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers @ Adelaide Oval 2.30pm

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Tuesday 5 January 2016 BBL Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers 7.10pm

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Saturday 9 January 2016

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Wednesday 13 January 2016 BBL Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes @ Adelaide Oval 7.10pm NO MEMBER MEETING *Please attend the Strikers game in your SACUSA polo if you can.*

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Friday 15 January 2016 WBBL Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades @ Adelaide Oval No.2, 2.30pm

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Saturday 16 January 2016 WBBL Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat @ Adelaide Oval No. 2, 10am

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Saturday 16 January 2016 WBBL Perth Scorchers V Melbourne Renegades @ Adelaide Oval No. 2, 2.30pm

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Sunday 17 January 2016 WBBL Melbourne Renegades v Adelaide Strikers @ Adelaide Oval No. 2, 10am

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Sunday 17 January 2016 WBBL Melbourne Renegades v Perth Scorchers @ Adelaide Oval No. 2, 2.30pm

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Saturday 14 May 2016 South Terrace

Sticky Wicket—December 2015 Edition

SACA Premier Cricket

SACA Premier Cricket recommences

Presentation Night @ the Adelaide Pavilion,

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