MILLER WARNED FOR BUMPERS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26576, 12 November 1951, Page 7

MILLER WARNED FOR BUMPERS

Comment On Action By Umpire BRISBANE, November 10. The Australian fast bowler, Keith Miller, was warned by the umpire, Mr Barlow, after he had bowled three bumpers to the West Indian batsman, Marshall, in the test match yesterday, it was learned this morning. It is understood that Mr Barlow told Miller: “Cut that out,” after the third bumper flew up at Marshall’s right shoulder. Marshall looked very unhappy as he got a dead-bat stroke to the ball. Miller is understood to have told the umpire that he did not think the bumpers were dangerous, to which Mr Barlow replied: “Never mind, you cut it out.” Lindwall bowled his share of bumpers during the day. He averaged one an over. Although, except-for the three Miller bowled in one over, the bumpers looked innocuous as they flew head high to the Wicketkeeper, it seemed apparent that most of the West Indian batsmen did not like them. The bumpers did not worry Weekes. He dealt severely with two bowled by Miller. Each was viciously pulled for four. The West Indian captain, Goddard, said he was surprised to hear that the umpire objected td the bumpers bowled by Miller. “I saw no bowling yesterday against which he was entitled to complain. No batsmen spoke against it to me.” Mr Barlow, asked to comment, referred a Reuter correspondent to the Australian team manager, Mr Ted Williams. Mr Williams, when approached. said: “No comment.” Cricket Writer’s Comment Commenting on. Mr Barlow’s warning to Miller, the “Sydney Sun” critic, R. S. Whitington, said: “All three bumpers were pitched on or to the offside of the centre stump. They were not directed at the batsman, standing clear of his wicket.” Whitington said he understood Miller was warned that he would be cautioned if he did not cut down the number of bumpers. After the warning no further bumpers were bowled during the afternoon. Whitington quoted Note 4 sub-para-graph six of No. 46 of the Laws of Cricket. He said he thought umpires should give more study to the wording. Disagreeing with Mr Barlow’s warning, Whitington said: “This is not the first indication Mr Barlow has given that he has a tendency to become a dictator. It was Mr Barlow who persistently no-balled the aboriginal fast bowler. Eddie Gilbert, for alleged throwing at Melbourne years ago. “Mr Barlow allowed a lot of much faster bumpers to fly around Len Hutton s head without a demur last summer," Whitington said.