Appointment of Mr Goodall stirs Richards

Press, 25 February 1987, Page 1

Appointment of Mr Goodall stirs Richards

From

JOHN COFFEY

in Wellington

Vivian Richards, the West Indian captain, last evening questioned the wisdom of New Zealand’s most experienced cricket umpire, Mr Fred Goodall, of Christchurch, being appointed for the second test.

A central figure in a tempestuous series when the West Indies last toured New Zealand in 1979-80, Mr Goodall, and Mr George Morris, of Oamaru, will stand in the match which will begin in Auckland on Friday. Richards was speaking at the press conference after the opening test had finished in a draw at the Basin Reserve yesterday. He had expressed his satisfaction with the performances of the first test umpires, Messrs Brian Aldridge (Christchurch) and Steve Woodward (Welling-

ton), saying “it was nice working with them.” “I would like to see those two again,” said Richards. Told that he would not be seeing Messrs Aldridge and Woodward at Eden Park, Richards asked journalists who had been chosen to officiate. When Mr Goodall’s name was mentioned, Richards said: “Do you think that’s good for relations?” Richards said that he had heard reports of Mr Goodall’s speaking at

functions about the 197980 series — “that’s not too good for relations.” There had been suspicions that cricket diplomacy would prevent Mr Goodall, who is. 48, from extending his national record of 22 test appointments when he was overlooked for the first test. The next most senior umpire is Mr Woodward, with 15 tests. Of the other members of the panel, Messrs Aldridge and Morns have umpired two tests, and Mr Rodger McHarg, of Christchurch, one. On the last West Indian tour Mr Goodall was shouldered from behind .by the medium-fast bowler, Colin Croft, in the second test at Christchurch. The West Indians also threatened, to withdraw altogether from that match, .x Six’of the players on that tour have returned, and representatives of both countries have taken care that not even the ' faintest smouldering ember of seven years ago is rekindled. The procedure for appointing umpires enables the touring team to object to any nominee, but home officials do not have to " take such objections into account. " ‘Mr Bob Vance, chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council, said last evening that the appointments .were made in the prescribed manner and “they were acceptable to both sides.”