Benaud defends Turner

Press, 26 February 1977, Page 56

Benaud defends Turner

N’ZPA staff correspondent Sydney

The decision of the New Zealand captain, Glenn Turner, to stand his ground and not “walk” when allegedly caught off Dennis Lillee in the Christchurch test has been further defended by a prominent former test player. Writing in the Sydney - “Daily Mirror” yesterday, Richie Benaud said that walking is “something that has come into English country’ cricket where batsmen supposedly rush off to the pavilion 'every time anyone scoops up a catch close to the wicket. ; “I don’t blame Turner, even at this distance, one little bit for waiting for the umpire’s decision,” he said, “I’ve seen plenty of Australian players do it in the last few seasons I — the important thing is that (when the umpire gives his j decision, that’s that. If you are the fielding side, you accept it gracefully, if not gratefully.”

As did Geoff Boycott, writing in the Sydney “Daily Telegraph,” Benaud makes reference to the recent similar incident involving Doug Walters when Australia played Pakistan at Adelaide.