CRICKET QUANDARY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 45, 17 November 1925, Page 12

CRICKET QUANDARY

AMUSING MUDDLE IN JUNIOR MATCH

“TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT”

A. couuiidrum was sprung upon the .Management Committee of the' Wellington Cricket Association last night by Air. 11. M. McGirr. “What would be the position,” lie asked, “if a captain wps to declare the innings closed forty minutes from closing time on the first day of a two days’ match, and the other side lost two wickets, and then tile umpire on tile second day ordered the side which had declared to complete their innings?” This was a puzzler for even the most experienced heads around the table. “But the umpire couldn’t do that,” incredulously remarked a delegate. “But he has done it,” declared Air. .McGirr. “1 am told that such a happening actually occurred at a junior mutch at Anderson Park.”

Mr. W. R. Bock, president , of the Wellington Umpires’ Association, admitted that he was the umpire in question. “The Thorndon captain,” he explained, “declared the innings closed fortv minutes from closing time on the opening dav. The other side then went in to bat, and lost two wickets before stumps were drawn. During the week, I discovered that I had made a mistake in allowing the Thorndon captain to declare his innings closed less than an hour and forty minutes from closing time. Before the game commenced on the second day, I explained the position to the two captains, and told them that Thorndon must continue their first innings.” “And you washed out the two wickets which had fallen?” asked Mr. J. Hutchings “I had no option but to do so, replied Mr. Bock. Mr. P. B. Broad: “Two wrongs dont, make a right.” Mr B. L. Salmon contended that matches confined to two afternoons were not the same as two-day matches. Mr. Hutchings: According to the Marylebone rules they are exactly the same, and are governed by the law which prevents a captain closing the innings on the first day unless he gives the opposing side an hour and 40 minutes to bat 'before closing time. Air. C. G. Wilson: They wanted to qet the other fellows out in the dark. What would have happened if six wickets had fallen ? Air Broad: What would have happened if the whole side had been dismissed? Air. Bock explained that the two captains agreed to the course he proP °Mr d ' Wilson: Then that is the end of the matter. Air Hutchings: Y’cs; if the captains agreed thev can have no redress. ‘iAlr. Bock still maintained that nc had taken the proper course under the circumstances to right the mistake which had been made.