Ball illegally changed — Hadlee
From special correspondent in London
The England selector, Mr Fred Titmus, illegally changed the ball for last week’s one-day cricket international against New Zealand, Richard Hadlee has alleged, according • to Britain’s “Star” newspaper. “It was either a joke or a dirty trick, but in my opinion it was not only underhand, it was illegal and unethical,” strike bowler Hadlee is quoted as saying. Hadlee, who could not be reached for confirmation of the story, is re-
ported to have said the New Zealand team is not taking further action in the matter, but understands the umpires have mentioned it in their report to Lord’s. Mr Titmus, the former England spin bowler, admitted he had switched the ball, said Hadlee. It happened after Hadlee himself had marked the ball New Zealand would bowl with. “The fielding side has the right to choose the one they want to bowl with, so I went down to the umpire’s room and made my selection,” he told “The Star.”
“I looked for a dark ball Because they usually swing better, and one I felt was the right shape and feel.
“Then I marked it by scratching the varnish on the side with the maker’s name. I always do this, just to make sure I get the right ball.” The reseve umpire, Mr Barrie Leadbeater, later brought Hadlee a ball, and asked if it was the right one. “I realised immediately it was the wrong ball. When he brought the full set of balls, I found the one I had marked.
“Three selectors — their chairman Peter May, Alan Smith and Fred Titmus — were in the umpires’ room, and, when we pressed the matter, one of them admitted he had made the switch. “I was told Titmus changed the ball.” Hadlee said the selectors should not have been in the Umpires* room. “The Star” said the English Test and County Cricket Board secretary, Mr Donald Carr, is investigating the com-
plaint “I believe the New Zealanders had not, made their choice when the ball was switched, and that it was a joke,” he said. But Hadlee, according to “The Star,” insisted that if it was a joke, it should have been put right New Zealand won the one day match at Headingley, but lost the second at Old Trafford. Titmus, now a sub-post-master in Hertfordshire, told “The Star”: “I don’t want to say anything.”
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Bibliographic details
Press, 24 July 1986, Page 27
Word Count
401Ball illegally changed — Hadlee Press, 24 July 1986, Page 27
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