TOO MANY GAMES COMMENCE LATE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19197, 10 October 1930, Page 5

TOO MANY GAMES COMMENCE LATE.

CRICKET UMPIRES AIR AN OLD GRIEVANCE

Last season the Canterbury Cricket Association asked the Umpires’ Association to report teams for late starting of matches. This was carried out, but, according to the umpires, they had to put up with caustic comment from the players. Arising out of the annual report, the matter came up for discussion at the annual meeting of the Umpires’ Association last evening. The secretary (Mr Belston) said that a good many thought that the Canterbury Cricket Association had let them down on this matter. The reports entailed a good deal of work. On Saturdays umpires had to put up with caustic comment from players. He thought that the Cricket Association lacked the moral stamina to back them up. There had been some glaring cases of late starting. “ Some of the officers of the Cricket Association were the worst offenders,” said Mr K. H. Perrin. “ When they were 4 put on the mat ’ they were let down lightly just because they were members of the association. If I had anything to do with it I would hit them up.” Mr W. Simpson said that he was not going to apologise for the Cricket Association. The association, however, did appreciate the work of the umpires and cases reported were dealt with on their merits. All the Cricket Association had to go on were the apologies and reasons put forward for the late starting, and in some cases they were reasonable. 1 Teams were reprimanded, but onfy a few had had to be dealt with. lie thought that the Umpires’ Association should not take serious notice of players’ comment. 4 ‘ If you get criticised again,” he said, “keep the game going.” Mr Belston said that in one glaring case the Cricket Association had accepted the explanation offered by the team. He thought it was not right that the team’s word should be accepted against that of the umpire. “ The matter of reporting,” said the chairman (Mr H. F. Thomson), “must be left to the Umpires’ Association. Then, if the Cricket Association like, they can ask the two umpires and the two team captains to be present at the meeting when the case is dealt with.” If that course were carried out it would be more satisfactory to all concerned. Statements had been made that players had “slung off” at umpires. He did not think there were many cricketers in Canterbury who would do it. He did not think there was much trouble, but if there was, the Cricket Association would deal with it through the Umpires’ Association.