Sticky Wicket - September 2016

Sticky Wicket September 2016 Edition Newsletter of the South Australian Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association Established 1911

Scoring a voice on committee

New President’s Welcome

What’s On?

GOLF WARS Sticky Wicket—September 2016 Edition

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Contents September 2016

3 From the President 4 Par for the course Fun 6 Graham’s Gags 7 Opportunity Notch 10 Events Calendar

facebook.com/sacricketumpiresandscorers

@SACAUmpires

SACA Umpiring & Coaching Manager Neil Poulton 0416 623 518 or 8300 3211 npoulton@saca.com.au 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: August 21 saw the annual SACUSA Golf Day attract a dedicated band of members to tackle a round at the Stirling Golf Club early in the morning. Graham Slater, Paul Welbourn, Michael Williamson and Matt Schulz were three who met the challenge.

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From the President Welcome to another season of Premier Cricket.

Firstly, I would like to personally thank Craig Thomas for his efforts and input for the last two years as President.

I certainly have big shoes to fill!

As you will be aware we have decided to change venues this season for all our General Meetings, from Kensington District Cricket Club to Woodville Cricket Club.

I would like to thank ‘Kensi’ very much for the use of their facilities for the past three years.

Many thanks also to all our members who attended the recent AGM at our new Woodville ‘home’ for 2016/17. This year we welcome Neil Ricketts and Shane Roberts to the Executive Committee for the first time. We also welcome back Michael Williamson to continue his previous work on the social subcommittee, and for his appointment as Captain of the SACUSA Cricket Team for Easter 2017. I was also pleased that Craig decided to stand for nomination on the Executive Committee after completing his term as President, as his contributions in assisting me will be invaluable.

The AGM also saw another extremely worthy nomination, which was for Life Membership. Past President, and now Vice-President, Edward

Branson, was nominated for selection by long time member, Ron Parsons. Congratulations to Ted on joining our very impressive list of Life Members – a list which has been growing for 95 years.

Neil Ricketts will be a valuable addition to the Executive Committee in helping attract scorers to join our Association, as well as assisting in arranging training sessions for scorers (and umpires).

This year will be a busy one for the Executive while we work with other interested associations to unite South Australian officiating segments for the good of the game.

During the off-season we farewelled one of our representative umpires, Cory Black, who returned to New Zealand to pursue a fantastic opportunity for his scientific career, and to continue his cricket umpiring further south.

I look forward to catching up with everyone as I start my first year as President. The Premier Cricket season kicks off on 15th October after our general monthly meeting on the 12th October, and I’m sure it will once again be filled with plenty of umpiring and scoring opportunities for all.

SACUSA President,

Tony Trist Sticky Wicket—September 2016 Edition

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On Sunday August 21 the SACUSA Annual Golf Day was again held at the Stirling Golf Club, with ten hardy participants happy to confront the course.

Conditions were not ideal, as heavy rains leading up to the day had left the course very sloppy, particularly in many of the low points.

However, the greens were in excellent condition and allowed the chance for good scores to be achieved once on them.

A few introduced rules assisted us to finish our rounds in good time.

These included picking up after eight strokes on each hole, and being able to play another ball if a ball was lost in mud.

Two competitions were held - one for golfers with an official handicap (Stableford competition), and for those without a golf handicap.

Results After completing the 18 holes, the following results were achieved: 1.

Man down – slipping on a slippery slope -Tony Trist

2.

Best score Handicap Players (Stableford) - Daryl Harper, 33 points (Runner Up - Kim Perrin, 31 points)

3.

Best score Non Handicap Players - Michael Williamson (Runner Up-Craig Thomas)

4.

Longest Drive on the 18th Hole -Daryl Harper

5.

Nearest the pin on 6th - nobody

6.

Nearest the pin on 13th - Jim Dawe (Friend of Kim’s)

7.

NAGA (Not A Golfer’s A@?$&^*!) - hotly contested this year with Tony Trist 136/146 just behind Matt Schulz 131/146.

Par for the course Fun

Prizes were distributed at the BBQ, with Tony being awarded the inevitable prize of a book on how to improve his golf skills for next year.

BBQ We adjourned to the home of Judy and David Little for another contender for BBQ of the Year. We were joined by other SACUSA members and wives for the usual outstanding luncheon.

With many fine wines, hot soup, meats, salads, deserts, nibbles, tea and coffee, we relaxed long into the afternoon.

Many umpiring stories were told. Daryl was pleased to be able to catch up with many of his old friends from umpiring, and shared many laughs he had experienced on the international stage. He did confess that he takes his golf clubs with him when on international refereeing duties and hence is able to get in quite a few games each week on some very good courses.

It was a great afternoon and we thank Judy and David for hosting us once again and for their excellent hospitality.

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Graham’s Gags An elderly couple had dinner at another couple’s house, and after eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen. The two gentlemen were talking and one said, “Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great … I would highly recommend it.”

The other man asked, “What’s the name of the restaurant?”

The first man thought and thought, and finally said, “What is the name of the flower you give to someone you love? You know, the one that’s red and has thorns.”

“Do you mean a rose?” asked the other man.

“Yes, that’s the one,” replied the first man. Then he turned towards the kitchen and yelled, “Rose, what’s the name of that restaurant we went to last night?”

Hospitality is the art of making guests feel like they’re at home when you wish they were.

Is it wrong that only one company makes the game ‘Monopoly’?

A man was telling his neighbour, ‘I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost four thousand dollars, but’s it’s state of the art! It’s perfect.’

‘Really,’ answered the neighbour. ‘What kind is it?’

‘Twelve thirty …’

Customer: “Can I try on that dress in the window?”

Shop Assistant: “I’d prefer that you use the dressing room.”

A woman was having a passionate affair with an exterminator from a pest control company. One afternoon they were carrying on in the bedroom together when her husband came home unexpectedly.

‘Quick,” said the woman to her lover, “into the closet!” and she pushed him into the closet, stark naked.

The husband, however, became suspicious, and after a search of the bedroom, discovered the man in the closet. “Who are you?” he asked the man.

‘I’m an inspector from Bugs-B-Gone,’ answered the exterminator.

‘What are you doing in there?’ the husband asked.

‘I’m investigating a complaint about an infestation of moths.’ the man replied.

‘And where are your clothes?’ asked the husband.

The exterminator looked down at himself and exclaimed, ‘Those little bastards!’

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Opportunity

Notch

The Annual General Meeting held last month saw the addition of new faces to the Executive Committee - and the inclusion once again of a scorer representative after a few years without one. SACA State Scorer, Neil Ricketts, generously stood for nomination, and was joined by umpires, Shane Roberts and Michael Williamson, in expanding the size of the Executive after members voted to increase committee numbers from eight to ten.

the club saw him eventually elected as President. Cricket has given Neil some amazing opportunities to participate in all levels of the game, but equally, Neil gives a lot in return.

Sticky Wicket caught up with Neil recently to find out a little of his cricketing background, and what first class scoring looks like in the modern game.

“In Adelaide Cricket Club’s centenary year I was scoring when Luke Williams broke our club record with 253 runs not out,” Neil recalls. “I was also scoring when Dale Bradley claimed a hat trick in district cricket, and at first class level I was scoring when Chadd Sayers captured his hat trick against Queensland.” Scoring has allowed Neil to actively participate in the game when records tumble and major achievements occur.

Scoring is obviously a crucial role in the game, and a very legitimate way to stay involved. But just because there’s no pressure to perform for a team, it nevertheless courts an intensity of its own because so many people rely on record-keeping accuracy to enjoy the match.

Prior to the 2004/05 season, Neil volunteered to score matches for his son, Scott’s, junior team at Adelaide Cricket Club.

This led to his appointment in 04/05 as Adelaide’s A Grade scorer. And Neil’s commitment to

As the most recent winner of SACUSA’s ‘Buckett Hammond Award’ for Scorer of the Year, Neil has reflected on a career so far that holds some genuine highlights for him as a cricket lover.

“There are a few extra things that need to be done at first class level over-and-above scoring duties Sticky Wicket—September 2016 Edition

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at club level,” Neil stated. “It’s always important in any match to ensure accuracy, but first class is a little more intense.

Along with the recording of the normal statistics, at first class level we must also record the time for dismissals, which isn’t quite so important at club level. Additionally, it’s vital to always check that the scoreboard is correct so that the larger number of spectators, and the players of these high level matches, are informed correctly.

At first class, we have a ’paper’ scorer (recording the match by hand); an ’online’ scorer (recording the match in the MyCricket platform); a ‘scorer/commentator’ (recording the ball-by-ball information on the Cricket Australia website so interested fans can follow the action

online); a scorer updating the electronic scoreboard of the particular ground that’s being used; and at Adelaide Oval there are also the scorers who manually update the details on the iconic 1911 scoreboard [one of whom is SACUSA’s own 1996 Life Member, Don Bills].”

Scorers at first class matches are also in contact with the match referee by phone, and can communicate with the on-field umpires via the referee. Neil said that this is important so scorers can support the umpires to perform their role accurately too.

“An example of this,” Neil recalled, “was last season at a Sheffield Shield match when it was apparent that the umpires were unwittingly going to allow a seven

Namesakes of SACUSA’s ‘Buckett Hammond Award’ for Scorer of the Year, first class scorers, Sam Buckett (from East Torrens DCC) and Reg Hammond (from Prospect DCC) - outstanding scorers who contributed decades of service to South Australian cricket. Neil Ricketts is the third and current winner of this award.

(Buckett photo from a digitised photograph held by the State Library of South Australia PRG 280/1/45/75)

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ball over. We were able to let the referee know that the six balls had already been bowled. This is one of the reasons that I advocate introducing walkie-talkies at Premier 1st Grade cricket - communication between umpires and scorers is good for the game.”

Neil’s advice for people considering cricket scoring in South Australia is to join SACUSA and approach a club through the Association, using the contacts that SACUSA has to make the introduction. “I think clubs would welcome more people wanting to score for them,” he stated.

“The indication I’ve had recently from Cricket Australia’s Match Officials Administration Manager, Cate Ryan, is that CA is keen to continue the work it started a few years ago, and make available a training course for scorers, similar to that accessible by umpires.”

and back issues of its newsletter.

He also advises that a list of Australian first class scorers can be viewed by scoring history buffs at http://community.cricket.com.au/ umpire/honour-board/test-debutscorer if interested.

SACUSA is delighted to have a scorer representative sitting on the Executive Committee again, and encourages anyone with thoughts on what they’d like to see SACUSA offer scorers to contact Neil via Sticky Wicket to discuss their ideas. Neil currently chairs the SACUSA Scorer Sub-committee, in which he works alongside SACUSA Vice-President, Ed Branson, and SACUSA Treasurer, Lynton Donisthorpe, to advance the interests of South Australian cricket scorers.

This season sees the retirement of Neil’s fellow first class scorer, Rita Artis, from her role as scoring coordinator of elite level cricket in SA. SACA Umpiring & Coaching Development Manager, Neil Poulton, will now be responsible for appointing scorers to these matches. He is using the SACUSA website to publicise some opportunities and for listing appointments, in a similar vein to that used for umpiring appointments.

So now there’s even more reason to check the site to keep up-to-date on all things ‘cricket officiating’.

Neil Ricketts recommends that people interested in cricket scoring take a look at the website ‘Notchers News’ (http://www.notchers.co.uk/) to access some great scoring resources Sticky Wicket—September 2016 Edition

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September 17th

9am to 6pm

2016/17 SACA Umpiring Seminar

(registrations

Day 1 (for all umpires)

open at 8.30am)

@ Rydges, South Terrace, Adelaide West End Redbacks League starts

18th

8.30am to 4.30pm

2016/17 SACA Umpiring Seminar

(registrations

Day 2 (for SACA & ATCA Panel 1 umpires)

open at 8am)

@ Rydges, South Terrace, Adelaide West End Redbacks League

24th

West End Redbacks League

25th

West End Redbacks League

October 8th

ATCA matches begin

11th

5pm onwards

SACA Panel 1 Training @ Port Adelaide

12th

6pm onwards

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

15th

Premier Cricket begins

16th

West End Redbacks League

20th

6pm

SACA Panel 1 Training @ Adelaide Oval Advanced Officiating General Principles - Part 1

23rd

TBC

Crockett Shield Preparation Match against the SA Blind Cricket Team

November 9th

6pm onwards

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

17th

6pm onwards

SACA Panel 1 Training @ Adelaide Oval Advanced Officiating General Principles - Part 2

24th to 28th

Day/Night Test Match @ Adelaide Oval

TBC

Stanton Cup Cricket Match against ATCUSA

Late afternoon

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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

24th

Big Bash League Semi Final

25th

Big Bash League Semi Final

28th

Big Bash League FINAL

February 8th

6pm onwards

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

TBC

Family Fun Day

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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

August TBC

SACUSA AGM

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

Did You Know?

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