Umpires Appointed By Cricket Board

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31221, 19 November 1966, Page 26

Umpires Appointed By Cricket Board

Appointments of Flunket Shield umpires were made by the executive of the New Zealand Cricket Council, said the chairman (Mr J. G. Leggat).

Mr Leggat was commenting on the resignation of two prominent Wellington umpires and administrators, Messrs S. A. Thorburn and D. A. Milne, neither of whom was given an appointment this season. They said umpires were never told what processes the selectors took, or what reports had been made on their performances. Mr Leggat said the executive received a list of umpires considered suitable by the various associations, and then selected them in conjunction with the particular board member. “The list is then submitted

for approval and adoption by I the board of control,” he said. “The reports made by captains have always been regarded as confidential.” It was also reported from Whangarei yesterday that Mr J. Lord, president of the Northland Cricket Umpires’ Association for the last seven years, is giving up all umpiring activities. A fully qualified first-class umpire who officiated in Plunket Shield matches a few years ago, Mr Lord said he had been given “the brush off” for three seasons as far as plunket shield appointments were concerned. A foundation member of the Northland umpires’ association, Mr Lord said he had no idea why he has been ignored over the last three seasons. His name has always been forwarded by his association, but that is as far as it has got. It could be, Mr Lord said, that he was no longer considered good enough. This would be “fair enough” if those responsible for the appointments had the “fortitude” to tell him so.

Mr Lord has been appointed to officiate in the AucklandNorthland match on December 4 and 5 but will with-