Sticky Wicket - September 2015

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

Bridging the Golf between seasons

Pellew’s News

Members for Life

Northern Exposure Sticky Wicket—September 2015 Edition in Darwin

PDCC’s Tom Lowrey Scorer Extraordinaire setting records of his own Page 1

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

Treasurer: Lynton Donisthorpe

0418 317 856

Patron: Neil Dansie OAM Sticky Wicket Editor Kristen Thomas 0414 326 978 cricketwidow@y7mail.com

facebook.com/sacricketumpiresandscorers

Umpiring & Coaching Administration Officer: Amy White (new umpires, uniforms, course registrations and umpire pays) 8300 3874 awhite@saca.com.au Umpiring Coordinator (from September 21): 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

@SACAUmpires

Contents From the President ............................................................................................................... 3 Tom Lowrey – A Testimony to the Power of the Pen ............................................. 4 SACUSA Reaches for the Top (End) ............................................................................... 6 Oh Pellew's!! ............................................................................................................................ 7 A Stirling Effort by our Golf Pros ................................................................................... 10 Umpire Profile – Michael Williamson ............................................................................ 11 It's a Wonderful Life ............................................................................................................ 12 Valued Sponsors:

COVER PHOTO: Current SACUSA Buckett-Hammond Award for Scorer of the Year Winner, PDCC’s Tom Lowrey, who has recently had a testimonial held for him by Prospect after clocking up more than 1100 match appointments during his career.

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From the President Welcome to what is going to be a big season of cricket in SA! The world first Day - Night Test match, against the ever improving Kiwis from across the ditch, is something all of us will embrace on November 27. To be held at our wonderfully revamped Adelaide Oval, which attracts so many more people to our beautiful State, it will be history in the making.

After many Roadshows across SA, run by both SACA and Cricket Australia, the decision has been made to retitle Grade Cricket. It will now be known as Premier Cricket, which is in line with the terminology used in all other States and Territories. A Grade as we knew it will become 1st Grade, and so on down through the grades. With this change Cricket Australia, as we saw at Neil’s Umpiring Launch, has made the Australian Cricket Pathway very easy to follow as players work their way up. This, in turn, has made the pathway for Umpires and Scorers easy to follow as well.

Thanks very much to all our members who attended the recent AGM at ‘Kensi’, which saw Terry Murch voted on to our Executive Committee. I’m sure he will bring some fresh ideas for all things SACUSA. The Executive Committee and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Michael Williamson, whom Terry replaces, for his input on the committee, and especially for his work to date on the Social Sub-committee (a role he’ll be continuing). We also wish him the best Sticky Wicket—September 2015 Edition

of luck in regaining the Crockett Shield as Captain at Easter in 2017, where he’ll have our unswerving support. There was also another extremely important vote at the AGM, which saw two very worthy nominations for Life Membership put to the members. Past President and Executive Committee member, Edward Branson, and current Secretary, Michial Farrow, were nominated for selection. As our constitution only enables one Life Membership to be awarded per annum, a very difficult decision was voted on by members, who ultimately chose Michial Farrow to receive the honour for the 2014/15 season.

It certainly is an action packed month of September, with Law Study Mondays, the monthly member meeting at Kensington District Cricket Club, and the Umpiring Seminar on Saturday the 19th at Adelaide Oval. The month will be even busier for the first of our Representative umpires of the season, Cory Black, who is heading to Queensland for the CA Under 17 National Championships. Well done Cory.

Premier League is also starting on the 19th, with Kumar Chandrakumar making the trip to Darwin for the first weekend and Luke Uthenwoldt heading to the Top End the following weekend.

I look forward to catching up with everyone, and getting the Premier Cricket season underway on October 17 following our monthly meeting on Wednesday October 14.

SACUSA President,

Craig Thomas Page 3

Tom Lowrey A testimony to the power of the pen On Friday night, August 28, Prospect District Cricket Club held a muchdesired testimonial event for its beloved A Grade scorer, Thomas Lowrey, at the Windmill Hotel. Tom has been scoring at the club for 52 seasons, and is only its third A Grade scorer since its inception in 1928. Alf Clark scored for three seasons from 1928 until 1931; Reg Hammond (one of the namesakes of SACUSA’s ‘Buckett-Hammond Award’) scored from 1931 until 1968; and Tom has held the position since th en.

His li st of reco rds is undeniably impressive.

Organised primarily by some of Tom’s cricketing colleagues, namely Don Blunden, Mark ‘Moth’ Eaton and current Canberra resident, Peter Crossing, the chance to pay tribute to one of South Australia’s truest cricket friends ensured that the event was standing room only.

Guests were treated to, not only a co mpre hensi ve rund own of To m’ s staggering scoring career achievements, but also some heartfelt thoughts from several high profile players.

In addition to congratulations sent by Nathan Lyon, Greg Blewett, Wayne Philips and Joe Root, a special endorsement was forwarded by Dr Colin Clowes, Honorary Librarian at Cricket NSW. Peter Cr ossi ng consu lted hi m on hi s knowledge of any other scoring record which might rival Tom’s, and this was his reply: “What an extraordinary record. I doubt that anyone could match it, especially when the representative matches are included.”

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Dr Clo wes compared Tom’s ca reer to ot hers he could think of from history, but no-one came close to equalling his longevity, commitment or tally.

After studying the N S W C U S A history, No Dazzling Deeds with Bat or Ball by Ronald Cardwell and David Jenkins, he cited New South Wales scorer, Ernie Cosgrove, whose career was impressive at 120 first class plus 130 Domestic and One Day Internationals over more than twenty years, but not close to Tom’s record which includes 168 Shield appointments alone plus 34 Tests, one Women’s Test, 71 One Day Internationals, 98 One Day Domestics and 22 International matches.

“Tom, congratulations on a great career as scorer. Best wishes.”

Greg Blewett Dr Clowes also examined the career of Australian scorer, Bill Ferguson, who travelled overseas consistently with touring Australian Test teams for well over twenty-five years from 1929 onwards. However, Dr Clowes feels that Ferguson’s career cannot be compared with Tom’s because it had no links to Grade Cricket.

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C rick et Aus tral ia cre dits B il l Ferguson as being the person who first developed the ‘batting chart’ which illustrates the direction and span of each ball hit by a particular batter.

The charts, which are now know as ‘wagon wheels’, are a handy coaching and analysis tool for players, and something which Tom has added to the repertoire of services he provides to cricketers and coaches. Tom’s service truly has spanned all levels of cricket from grass roots through to international elite matches, and everything in between. It is nothing short of inspiring.

“In his role as scorer, Tom has made a magnificent contribution to the game of cricket.

Tom’s attention to detail is second to none.

His “wagon wheels” have always been received with great enthusiasm.

I wish Tom all the best.”

Wayne Phillips While SACUSA is fortunate enough to include in its membership someone possessing such a significant record of service, there is definite interest in discovering the feats of other scorers from all over Australia who have contributed - or currently still contribute - in ways which have deeply helped our game in any era. SACUSA encourages any Association in the country to contact it with details of its own outstanding cricket officials so that they can be celebrated across the sector.

“Tom, in a sport such as cricket, people as dedicated and as passionate as yourself are very rare to come across. As a Pirate myself, I just want to say many congratulations on such a fine innings so far as scorer! Without people like you the players wouldn't be able to go and enjoy this brilliant game. I bet you have some fond memories and have some brilliant tales to tell. Congratulations once again.”

Joe Root Tom is about to commence his 53rd season of cricket scoring in the 2015/16 season, and he’ll start the count with 1105 matches under his belt. He’s also served as Prospect DCC historian since 1978 - arguably a most natural complementary role for any scorer to perform given the propensity for attention to detail in record-keeping. Echoing an action which The Don took during his very distinguished career, Tom completed an umpires’ training course in 1984 to enhance his understanding of the game and his performance within the team which comprises both umpire and scorer officials. Honoured with Life Membership of his beloved Prospect DCC the following year, Tom has continued to serve the club ever since, while also flying the flag for the often underappreciated role of scorer. Officially recognised by SACUSA at the end of the 2014/15 season when he was awarded the ‘Buckett-Hammond Award for Scorer of the Year’ Tom continues to show that the power of the pen ensures great cricketing feats will be remembered evermore.

“Congratulations, what an achievement! Well done on the testimonial. Very well deserved for your years of service to Prospect District Cricket Club. Thank you for your support and great work, it was always wonderful to have you around. Shame you didn’t do more ‘creative scoring’ and add more wickets and runs to my tally whilst I was there! Thank you once again. Have a great night!” Nathan Lyon Sticky Wicket—September 2015 Edition

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SACUSA Reaches for the Top (End)

By Michael Williamson

During the off season, I was lucky enough to be invited to Darwin to umpire a round of their Premier League (equivalent to our new Premier Cricket competition). I arrived in Darwin on the 19th June, which was the last day of the Under 15's school boys championship. I was dropped off at the MCG (Marrara Cricket Ground) where the final was being played between New South Wales and Queensland on Oval No.1. Victoria and Western Australia were playing on Oval No.2 for third place. While watching the game on No. 1 I happened to see Steve Waugh (former Australian Captain) watching his son play, and I also saw former Vic/SA and Australian player Matthew Elliott there. Later that night, I was invited out to dinner by Bob Parry (Cricket Australia Umpire Educator) and the other umpires. Over dinner we all had many laughs and a few stories were told.

The following day I had to travel 25 minutes to Palmerston for Day One of a two day game. On arrival, after looking at the ground (which in some parts resembled a dust bowl), I thought the wicket look good and was expecting plenty of runs. The start time and playing time are equal to our Second Grade (formerly B Grade). At lunch, Palmerston were bowled out for 58. Darwin started their innings after lunch and within the first ten overs had a first innings lead. At the tea break, Darwin had a lead of 168 and decided to declare.

Palmerston started their second innings after tea and by the end of the day's play, they were three for 102.

Sunday signalled the first of two days off from umpiring and I spent part of the days site seeing, after the lovely couple that I was staying with lent me their car.

During the week, I also umpired NT’s mid-year carnival. Unfortunately, I didn't get any information on the rules and playing conditions of this carnival beforehand, making things a little challenging.

Luckily, though, there were a couple of people from NT Cricket who gave me the information that I needed. I started umpiring the game by myself because the other umpire hadn't turned up, and I found out later that he had a driving lesson at the Sticky Wicket—September 2015 Edition

time. I found this day long and mentally tough.

The teams playing in this carnival were from Darwin, Alice Springs, New South Wales (two teams), Victoria and Queensland. On Day Two of the carnival I was lucky enough to umpire on the previously mentioned “MCG” which is the best maintained ground in Darwin, apart from Cherry Gardens. All games throughout the carnival were 50 overs, except those played on Thursday, which were all T20 (two games per oval). After each day’s play, I approached both team coaches and asked for their feedback. I was pleased that it was all very positive On the second Saturday of the trip I travelled back to Palmerston, where the home side continued its innings until they were all out, managing a lead of 50 runs at lunch. During Palmerston’s second innings, an attempt at a stumping occurred where the ball had hit the batsman's back leg while defending forward on the front foot. As he dragged his back foot out of the crease, the ball dropped in front of the stumps and the keeper grabbed it, removing the bails and appealing to the square leg umpire.

The reply was, "Not Out - you took it in front of the stumps."

After the lunch break, Darwin started their second innings, and within 6.1 overs and the loss of a single wicket, chased down the small total and had an early finish. After the game while having a few cold beers, I spoke to both captains and asked for their thoughts on myself from the last two days and the feedback was positive.

NT Cricket is always looking for more umpires in Darwin.

I would encourage any of you who are thinking of going, to do so - the experience that you'll get from this is very helpful. If you’d like to know more, feel free to come and see me and I'll be happy to have a chat.

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Oh Pellew’s!!

Snippets from our immediate past Editor Early Cricket?

In 1478, at the village of Liettres in northern France, a young man called Estiavannet came across a group of disagreeable people playing an unusual game. It involved “boules” or balls and a wooden post or “criquet”. According to a letter of grievance to the King, which survives in the French national archives, an argument broke out. One of the players said: “Why are you staring at our ball game?” There was violence. Someone was killed.

This may be the first mention anywhere of the game of cricket, almost a century before the first written record of the game in England (although there are also suggestions that an early form of the game might have been mentioned in 1300). To pursue what some might see as a heretical claim, the village of Liettres in French Flanders will stage an “international cricket tournament” next month.

Brush Up Your French Did you ever wonder what the French might be for deep backward square leg? The answer is “Barrière oblique côté fermé”. An off-spinner is “un tricoteur” or “knitter”. A leg-spinner is a “tournicoteur” or “prowler”. And a wicket maiden is “une vierge couronnée” (a crowned virgin).

Foot Fault There are discussions brewing world wide about the potential of returning to the back-foot-no-ball rule.

This was abandoned in the early 1960s. Under this rule, it was a bowler’s back foot heel that had to be behind the crease along the line of the stumps. And what is the name of that crease? The Bowling crease!

Many umpires would like this change as it gives more time to concentrate on the flight of the ball, albeit slight. And it may allow umpires to stand a little deeper to avoid potential injury from hard hit balls that have become so much more prevalent with thick bats.

An issue with the back foot rule was that many bowlers learnt to land their back foot correctly and then drag it legally (balanced in their back foot big toe mind you) over the line with their front foot landing well in font of the popping crease. Those were the days that bowlers (or in fact most cricketers) wore boots and those dragging bowlers wore “metal toe caps” screwed to their boots to help preventing the caps of the back foot boot from wearing out. Try that on today’s light weight sports shoes! But then there would be another shoe development potential wouldn’t there?

Ah such memories!

The other thing about the back foot rule and some bowlers (usually quicks) was that the ball was released from further down the pitch giving the batters less time to play their shots. Now, that may be a good thing and counter some big hitting!

Are there any thoughts from older players/umpires? Let a debate commence here in Sticky Wicket!

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Upcoming Test Australia v NZ - Commencing 27 November 2015 at Adelaide Oval Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene believes Test cricket should not be subject to day-night experiments with a pink ball.

He says that Test matches are "the only thing we've got with a bit of tradition now. Everything else is changing, but I think we should stick to day Test matches. Dew factor will come into play in a lot of other countries, especially in the subcontinent. I agree with trying to promote the game ... there are a lot of other things people can do, but the only thing we have in cricket going for nearly 200 years is Test cricket with white clothing and the red ball. Why do you take it away from that?"

TV news They begin the evening news with 'Good Evening,' then proceed to tell you why it isn't.


Scorers nightmare?

As any scorer knows, a duck, particularly a golden duck, is anything but no trouble for the scorers. Barely have the details of the previous wicket to have fallen been entered - how out, over when out, time out, how many balls faced, how many runs scored, partnership, bowler's name, fielder's name if applicable, current score of the not-out batsman - than the whole process has to be repeated for the fresh dismissal, perhaps even before the first has been completed.

Commentators often comment that a batsman dismissed for a duck "didn't trouble the scorers". They must imagine that all that scorers have to do is jot down a zero and relax.

Keep Focused A good umpire, like a good wicketkeeper, is someone who goes through a session, a day, a game without making an obvious mistake.

As anyone who has been associated with the sport at any level will acknowledge, umpiring is as demanding a task as batting, bowling or catching. If anything, the demands on the umpires are even more, because unlike the players, they have to be on the field for every second of action, and being as human as the next person, they are prone to mistakes.

Bradman Trivia Bradman was never out in the 90s in a Test match. He was out for 89 once, and later said he had in fact made 90 because one of his runs was counted as a leg-bye.

Once he reached 100 in Tests (as he did 29 times), he scored an average of another 85 runs. His "average" Test century was 185.

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A Stirling effort by our golf pros On August 16 SACUSA’s resident golf guru, Graham Slater, once again organised the annual magnificent round of early Sunday morning golf at the picturesque Stirling Golf Club in the Adelaide Hills. Followed by an exquisite barbeque lunch famously hosted by former President and First Lady, David and Judy Little, at their Crafers home, the merry band of golfers made a day of it. Here Graham provides his rundown of the proceedings ...

On what turned out to be a glorious August Sunday, eight brave members turned out for the annual golf day and accompanying barbeque.

Two of our members began their pre-season training by travelling the course in a golf cart. One of these people (Neil P) is in charge of our fitness and preparation for the coming season. The second ‘carter’ (Paul W) ended up with the best ‘hackers’ score, so there must be benefits in being driven about the course.

After a slow round both groups completed the course with the following results: Best score: G Slater –90 (banned from the competition because of prior practice)

In muddy conditions participants were given instructions to speed up play and told where prizes could be won. After seven shots per hole, participants had to pick up their ball and prepare for the next hole. Needless to say, one ‘golfer’ picked up on 16 of the holes, claiming that he would still be on the course when everyone went home if he had to finish every hole legitimately (wise move Mr Schulz).

Best score: Paul Welbourn 106 Second: Michael Williamson 107 Third: Craig Thomas 108 NAGA Award (Not a Golfer’s %&#@?{+$): Matt Schulz Nearest the Pins: 6th & 13th Michael Williamson, 17th Adam Longest Drive: Neil Poulton had it, but defeated by Michael Williamson After the round it was on to the home of David and Judy Little. We were joined by some of our other SACUSA members and wives for another excellent barbeque and social afternoon. As usual, we were treated to a delicious range of soups, meats, wines, salads, platters and nibbles. Thanks again to David and Judy for hosting us and looking after us in such a commendable manner.

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Umpire Profile Michael Williamson AGE: 38 NICKNAME: Willo OCCUPATION: Supervisor WHAT MADE YOU TAKE UP CRICKET UMPIRING? After being invited to try SACA umpiring by Tony Trist I liked the fact it was different to other the other recreational activities I did.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE OUT OF UMPIRING ?

To umpire at the highest level possible (ICC Panel one day) WHAT HAVE BEEN THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR UMPIRING? Doing my first A Grade game in my second year, and then standing in a semi-final and a grand final last season.

Also, going to Darwin during our off season and doing some umpiring.

WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU BELIEVE ARE NEEDED TO BE A GOOD UMPIRE? Being calm under pressure, having a good knowledge of the laws and being able to take control when needed.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN NOT UMPIRING CRICKET? Umpire football for SAAFL, watching movies, playing golf and spending time with the family.

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It’s a Wonderful Life The AGM on August 19 saw two new Life Members congratulated on receiving SACUSA’s coveted honour for outstanding service to our Association. Our current Treasurer, Lynton Donisthorpe, was unable to attend May’s 2015 Presentation Night to receive his Life Member Stumps, and so was presented with them at the Annual General Meeting. A vote was held for our newest Life Member on the same night, where our Secretary, Michial Farrow, was judged by the membership to be the latest recipient of the honour. Michial will receive his Life Member Stumps at 2015/16’s Presentation Dinner.

Have you read any good cricket books lately?

Sticky Wicket is looking to add book reviews to its content and is interested in publishing your reviews on books you think would be of interest to members.

If you’ve read a cricket book which left a good impression email your review to Kristen at cricketwidow@y7mail.com and we’ll spread the word to our community.

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