Sporting standards in cricket

Press, 4 March 1978, Page 14

Sporting standards in cricket

Sir, — I applaud Chatfield’s decision, fully supported by the umpire, to stump Randall who was cheating outside the crease. Does L. Lynch approve of athletes who jump the gun, or swimmers who try to cheat a few feet from their competitors? Does he consider it honourable, after an unsuccessful appeal against a fast fading light, to put on the fastest bowlers cheating a foot or two at the crease, and delivering short bouncers designed not to hit the stumps but to injure the batsmen? I blushed for shame when the umpire, after warning him earlier, said that the next time he would put the bowler off and then added, "That is not cricket.” I am reminded of the adage that while rugby is a game played for gentlemen by ruffians, cricket is a game for gentlemen played by gentlemen. May it continue so to be. — Yours, etc., W. J. THOMPSON. March 2, 1978. Sir, — Peter J. Low is quite right about all the clap-trap issuing forth about sportsmanship. Unfortunately he is adding to it. We all know that a bowler can change from over to round the wicket provided that he informs the umpire and the batsman. He must follow the same procedure when changing from overarm to underarm. Chatfield switched from overarm to underarm in breaking Randall’s wicket. This made the ball dead and not legal. So it was the umpire who was at fault (like a lot of others) in not knowing the rules. Peter J. Low talks of professionals. I once asked a famous amateur, who had the privilege of playing against Bradman, “What is the difference between a professional and an amateur?” He thought for a spell and then said, "An amateur is not bloody good enough to be a pro, son.” Looking back over the years, you know he was right. — Yours, etc., L. C. WOOD. March 3, 1978.