Business as usual for test umpire

Press, 28 February 1986, Page 36

Business as usual for test umpire

What does an umpire do on the day before his first cricket test? As far as Brian Aldridge, the Christchurch official who is to stand in his first five-day match when New Zealand meets Australia at Lancaster Park, is concerned, it was business as usual. “Business” for half of Mr Aldridge’s 45 years has been as a self-em-ployed builder, and he was working on a new house yesterday.

The second test of the Rothmans series will be Mr Aldridge’s twentieth first-class fixture since his debut when Canterbury met Northern Districts in 1979-80.

By coincidence, and much to Mr Aldridge’s pleasure, he was also partnered by another Canterbury official, Fred Goodall, on that occa-

sion. Mr Goodall is now New Zealand’s most experienced test umpire. Mr Aldridge has progressed from club to test level in less than 10 years. He played suburban cricket for New Brighton and MerivalePapanui, but began umpiring when he found he “was not quite good enough for two-day cricket and had to play in limited-over afternoon games.” Although admitting to being “thrilled” at his first test appointment, Mr Aldridge added, “It is harder on the players. It is their game, not mine.”

But he can take considerable satisfaction that he has reached the top of his adopted sporting pastime so quickly, having also given service as secretary of the Canterbury Cricket Umpires’ Association.