Umpire request considered

Press, 26 September 1989, Page 28

Umpire request considered

PA Wellington The New Zealand Cricket Council, although surprised, has agreed in principle to a Pakistan request to submit names of umpires from its international panel. Pakistan, pursuing its campaign for neutral umpires for one-day internationals and test matches, has asked the N.Z.C.C. to provide names of two umpires who might be called upon to stand in its forthcoming series against India.

“Yes we are surprised, but it depends on what they are asking for,” said the N.Z.C.C. chairman, Barry Paterson. “They might be asking for names to be forwarded from several countries from which they will take two umpires.” The request is surprising after the Pakistan manager, Intikhab Alam, and the captain Imran Khan's attack on New Zealand umpires during the tour here last season.

Welington’s Steve Woodward was singled out by Imran, but there was also

criticism of Brian Aldridge. After the final one-dayer in Hamilton, Imran said: “We felt Steve Woodward had decided he was going to teach us a lesson, and I really thought he umpired atrociously in the series.”

He also called Mr Woodward a “liar.” The Pakistan request has convinced Mr Paterson that the series was used as a vehicle to push for neutral umpires. “It appears our umpires are acceptable, but it does confirm the belief that the publicity last season was for an ulterior purpose,” Mr Paterson said.

However, Mr Woodward said he was not surprised by the request from Pakistan. “It seems to be part of the general trend towards eventually having neutral umpires,” he said. “And if that is the case then I’d like to see New Zealand umpires very much involved in it.

“I don’t hold any grudges — what happened last year is history. I’ve been to Pakistan

before, during the World Cup in 1987 and I quite enjoyed it, I’d love to go back if I was asked.”

The N.Z.C.C. is, however, unlikely to follow the Pakistan lead and appoint neutral umpires for this summer’s home series against Australia and India. “Until the International Cricket Conference (1.C.C.) resolves the situation, we want to reserve our decision to appoint our umpires for any series here,” Mr Paterson said. • The New Zealand Cricket Council is considering joining forces with its women counterparts. After the council’s board of control meeting in Wellington at the week-end, Mr Paterson said a working party of two would be appointed to investigate the idea, one of the recommendations to result from a Deloittes report the council commissioned. The council had a preliminary discussion with the women last~week, and is soon to follow that up. Similarly

the Women's Cricket Council bad its annual meeting in Wellington at the same time and the returned chairwoman, Janet Stribling, said it would form a sub-commit-tee to meet the men. “With a lot of clubs now having men and women it seems logical we should be one council,” Ms Stribling said. “The Wellington women have joined the men’s association, and everyone seems to be benefitting.” Mr Paterson said following the passing of a motion at the council’s annual meeting on Friday, a sub-committee of himself, the president, lan Colquhoun, the chief executive, Graham dowling, and others to be nominated would be settled on October 12 to present proposals for the restructuring of the board. Those proposals are to be placed before a special meeting of the council before April 1. In future, reserve days for Shell Cup matches are to be scheduled where practical, and the cup final in March will be televised live.