Blofeld joins outrage over Marsh incident

Press, 10 February 1983, Page 30

Blofeld joins outrage over Marsh incident

NZPA Sydney The English cricket commentator, Henry Blofeld, has added his voice to an outraged chorus condemning the behaviour of the Australian wicket-keeper, Rodney Marsh, in last Sunday’s oneday international against New Zealand in Perth. Marsh has admitted deliberately kicking a ball out of the reach of fieldsmen during the match to prevent his own run-out. An appeal by the New Zealanders for a dismissal on grounds of obstruction was declined and although media commentators have harshly condemned Marsh’s action, no disciplinary action has been taken. Writing in the “Australian” newspaper yesterday, Blofeld questioned the motives for Marsh’s behaviour in light of his reputation as one of cricket’s elder statesmen. “Marsh, who seems to harbour a personal grudge against the New Zealanders, deliberately lucked the ball and then admitted it,” Blofeld said.

“This is the man who recalled Derek Randall when he had been given out caught behind in the Centenary Test in Melbourne in 1977 when Marsh knew that he picked the ball up on the halfvolley,” Blofeld said. “This is also the man who registered instinctive horror after Greg Chappell had instructed his brother, Trevor, to bowl that underarm ball at New Zealand’s Brian McKedmie at the Melbourne Cricket Ground two years ago. “What has happened to Marsh? Is it shell shock from too much big cricket or is it the lure of the rewards for victory in the one-day internationals? “Or is it a stupid chip on the shoulder, contempt for the New Zealanders which is to blame? Or is it that he does not rate one-day cricket too highly?” Blofeld offered no answer but condemned umpires’ attitudes to the incident and the failure of team and other officials to reprimand Marsh. “I wonder what the Australian team manager, John

Edwards, who is not known for his outspoken views, said to Marsh afterwards. . “I would be surprised if it was anything, for this sort of behaviour .is seldom criticised by those in charge these days. It all seems to be part of the rich television spectacle. “Now I wonder what impact that action of Marsh’s has had on countless thousands of young Australians who saw the incident. “Are they in their school games now kicking the ball around all over the place? I hope not but I am afraid they may be,” Blofeld said. He added that the umpires’ intransigence over the incident confirmed the intimidation they were subjected to from leading players. “I see Geoff Howarth is hoping that the umpires will step in to stop sledging in the finals. “I hope they do, but I am afraid he might just as well bay at the moon, for cricket nowadays seems to be run for the players and by the players with no holds barred.”