AS IT MIGHT BE IN CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 34, 3 November 1928, Page 24

AS IT MIGHT BE IN CRICKET

* “Crickef; is not taken seriously enough by the players.”—Evening paper.) (Scene: The London Oval). The PMy (Taken from the London Express.”) Umpire"!(Out! Batsmunl: Oh, please! Not that! Umpire: Out,- I said. Batsmar,: Have you thought what this mearyj? (A long pause.) Have you visualised the aftermath; the lonely walk to the pavilion, the jeers of erne’s mates, the comments in the Umpirij: I see no other course. Batsman,: You yourself, umpire, have fans. YJou know what it is to run the gauntlet effi hostile eyes, to be held up to ridicrife. Little children, years hence, wfllU tell the story of how I was given out lbw in this match, and will say', “He w<as given out lbw by Sonnies.” Umpire A You only make it harder for me. !i r Batsmani (quickly) : But supposing I were not really out— lt would not matter. I have said you are out, and that is all that matters. After all, a man must be either or out. Life is like that. Some are in, others are not. Batsinani (with lowered head) : Very well. YJctti are but the victim of a system ancrl bear you no ill-will. Your training leads you to-believe that I am out. Yoiu act according to your lights. Nevertheless (with raised voice), I dream of t a day when no batsman will ever be oni, and when umpire and batsman will work hand in hand to build a better jcricket field. J Good-bye, umpire, good-bye! , XExit to pavilion.)