“MIND-READING.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 752, 4 May 1933, Page 1

“MIND-READING.”

Umpires’ Interpretation of New Cricket Law. BODYLINE BOWLING. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegrra ph—Copyright. (Received May 4, 12.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 4 Strong criticism was expressed at a meeting of the New South Wales Umpires’ Association, when the Board of Control’s new rule concerning bodyline bowling was discussed. Mr Armstrong, the secretary of the association, said: “We gather that the board seeks to put on the umpires the onus of reading the bowler's mind. This is a most ridiculous imposition. No umpire would take the responsibility of calling ‘no ball,’ because he could only imagine the bowler was bowling at the body.” Other speakers said that if the new rule were adopted, umpires must abide by it. Mr Solomon expressed the opinion that bodyline bowling as they saw it last season was bowling deliberately at the man. It was decided to defer further discussion until the matter came officially before them.

LEG THEORY ISSUE.

Fast Bowlers in England Sniffing Battle. LONDON. April 27. Fast bowlers who see the possibility of strange new license in the leg theory are already sniffing battle, says the cricketing writer of the “ Sunday Times.” The M.C.C. may be justified in adopting the Australian restrictive proposals if bowlers are given a fling. Nevertheless, neither side adopted body-line in the match in which the West Indies cricketers played a draw with ” Tich ” Freeman’s XI. at Gravesend.