GRIFFITH INCIDENT No-Balled For Throwing

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31066, 23 May 1966, Page 3

GRIFFITH INCIDENT No-Balled For Throwing

(N Z.P A. Reuter —Copyright) LONDON. The controversial West Indies fast bowler, C. C. Griffith, was no-balled for throwing on Friday on the last day of the match against Lancashire.

But only the players and the umpires knew about it, and on Saturday in London some Lancashire players revealed what had occurred.

It was later confirmed by one of the umpires, Mr F. Jakeman, who said that Griffith was called by Mr A. Fagg. the other umpire, who was standing at square leg.

Griffith was no-balled seven times during the match—six times for over-stepping the bowling crease.

WITH NEW BALL The call for throwing occurred during his first over with the new ball. At Cambridge on Saturday, Mr J. B. Stollmeyer, the West Indies manager, said: “Griffith was called by Fagg and, as the umpire was standing at square leg. 1 can only presume it was for throwing. “Neither of the umpires, however, reported the matter to me after the match.”

THIRD BOUNCE The calling occurred after Griffith had taken the new bi.ll, with Lancashire 221 for two. Off his first delivery, R. Entwistle was caught behind the wicket for 60 and off his third K. Snellgrove gave a catch in the gully. The next batsman, the 19-year-old left-hander, D. Lloyd, received two short-pitched bouncers and the third—which was also a bouncer—was called by the umpire. Griffith bowled several more overs without incident, finishing with figures of four for 55. The television cameras screened the incident and a couple of dozen journalists were in the press box. But it was not until Saturday morning that the Lancashire players at Lord's for their match with Middlesex, brought the matter to light. Griffith is being rested from the Cambridge match, in which the test umpire. Mr S. Buller, is one of the officials.

A fortnight ago he was passed by the test umpires, Messrs Jepson and Price, in a match at Oxford.

Although Griffith’s action had been the subject of controversy for some time he had been no-balled for throwing only once before—in Barbados. This was in a match at Bridgetown against the 1961-62 Indian touring side.

I Since then, a number of leading cricketers, including the former Australian captain, R. Benaud, have charged that Griffith throws his fastest delivery.