Law 43 Nov 2015 Issue - VCAUSAvcausa.vic.cricket.com.au/files/15551/files/Law 43 Nov...Volume 22 Number 3 2015-2016 Page 4 FROM THE EDITOR In this our third issue for season 2015-16,

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In This Issue: • From the Editor • …And the President • From the Desk of the Umpiring Manager • Meet our New Panel Members • Match Officials for US All-Star Series Yet to be Named • Bundalaguah CC (cont’d) • Senior State Umpire Officials Meet with CA Umpire Coach • John Ward in the West Indies • Cricket Should be an Olympic Sport • Report from Cup Day • Macca’s Book Review

VCA Umpires’ & Scorers’ Association Newsletter Vol. 22 No. 3, 2015-2016 season

Law 43

November, 2015

L→R: Hayden Bruce (Match Referee) with Umpires John Ward, Joel Wilson and Patrick Gustard during the 2015 Caribbean Premier League T20 Competition

(see article, page 11, for details)

Volume 22 Number 3 2015-2016 Page 2


Law 43 Magazine of the Victorian Cricket Association Umpires’ and Scorers’ Association

Incorporated. Cricket Victoria (CV) is acknowledged for the printing of hard copies as well as the electronic distribution to the CV Panel Members.

VCAUSA COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT PRESIDENT: ALAN MCCARTHY IMMEDIATE PP & VICE-PRESIDENT: GERRY SCHEMBRI

SECRETARY: DAN BOMFORD TREASURER: TREVOR FINLAYSON COMMITTEE MEMBERS: KAITLYN ABRAHALL (SCORER), JOHN COLLINS, LUKE EDWARDS,

JOHN RICHARDS, GLENN SCHACHE, ROB STURGEON & TONY VENTURA

OTHER OFFICE HOLDERS AND CO-ORDINATORS BADGES & ACCESSORIES: GLENN CUMMING LAW 43 EDITOR: TREVOR FINLAYSON

SOCIAL ORGANISER: GERRY SCHEMBRI HISTORIAN: BILL ELLEMOR MISCELLANEOUS APPOINTMENTS: DARRELL HOLT

CURRENT LIFE MEMBERS J.R. Collins (1976) W.H. Howieson (1979) K. Allday (1980) G.M. Thies (1981) G.J. Bugge (1987) D.N. Bomford (1989) C. Andrews (1990) R.C. Bailhache (1994) D.W. Holt (1995) N.J. Grant (1997) D.L. Byrne (2000) R.F. Francione (2001) L.J. King (2002) W.R. Ellemor (2003) P. Hooper (2005) A.L. Eldridge (2006) J.L. Collins (2010) J.A. Howard (2011)

CORRESPONDENCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS: ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO THE SECRETARY

DAN BOMFORD, PO BOX 2692, MOUNT WAVERLEY 3149 VCAUSA WEBSITE: http://vcausa.vic.cricket.com.au

CONTENTS

From the Editor……………………………………………… 4 …. And the President ……………………..……………….. 5 From the Desk of the Umpiring Manager………………….. 6 Meet our New Panel Members…….……………………….. 8 Match Officials for US All-Star Series Yet to be Named…. 9 Bundalaguah CC (cont’d)………………......………………. 10 Senior State Umpire Officials Meet with CA Coach...……. 10 John Ward in the West Indies……..………………………... 11 Cricket Should be an Olympic Sport…………………..…… 12 Report from Cup Day………………………………………… 13 Macca’s Book Review…………………..…………………....14 Advanced Notice of Theatre Night………………………….15 VCAUSA Calendar……………..…………………………….16


FROM THE EDITOR

In this our third issue for season 2015-16, it is again the turn of President, Alan McCarthy to share with you his current thoughts by commenting on another successful Cup-Day BBQ, by summarising some events planned for the coming months and by giving you a final word from Sir Donald Bradman. Later in the issue, you will find some pictures taken at the Cup-Day BBQ along with the results of this year’s sweeps. Congratulations to all those who were successful, even if, in the tradition of a Cup-Day sweep you only scored a return of your “investment” for drawing the last-placed “donkey.” Again I commend Richard’s column, in this issue entitled “Disaster Control,” as “a good read.” Indeed, I have it on reliable authority, that you should not miss reading his column this month as we soon farewell him for his “summer holiday” in New York. We have received four more “bios” from new panel members, Rahul Mantri, Sudhaker Balreddygari, Jason Veale and Paul Varghese. I thank them for sharing these with readers and I hope what each one has written, together with a photograph, will assist all panel members to get to know these new members a little better. I should be pleased to print the “bios” for the two remaining new panel members in the next issue (December) if I receive some text and a picture before about 10th December. I was pleased to receive a comment from David Shepard concerning the “famous” Bundalaguah Cricket Club, in response to the previously published letter from Noel Grant and the notes by Kaitlyn Abrahall and thanks to David for this correspondence. Three items of interest from recent issues of Playing the Game, “Match Officials for US All-Star Series Yet to be Named”, “Senior State Umpire Officials Meet with CA Umpire Coach” and “Cricket Should be an Olympic Sport”, have been included for your interest.. The front-cover picture on this issue (courtesy of John Ward) serves as an introduction to an article from John about his winter experiences in the West Indies, following his selection to umpire in the Caribbean Premier League T20 Competition. I am sure you will enjoy reading about John’s experiences which he has illustrated with some excellent pictures. My thanks to John for sharing his report with readers. “Macca’s Book Review” column continues this month with another review (the book “Bradman’s War” – Malcolm Knox) by Macca himself. But I repeat that I should be pleased to receive a book review from any Law 43 reader who would like to share your thoughts on a book you have read recently.

.Trevor Finlayson

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The President’s welcome Cup Day BBQ, 3rd November

… AND THE PRESIDENT

The Melbourne Cup has been run and won. Michelle and Stevie Payne carried the day with a Darren Weir trained 100-1 shot. At our annual Cup-Day barbecue at Carlton Cricket Club, John Collins cooked up a storm, scorers Alan Britton (Monash Tigers) and Nikolas Sakellaropoulos (Melbourne Uni) and new umpiring colleague Rahul and family enjoyed the day, including playing some cricket on the lush Carlton outfield and tucking into the strawberry cheesecakes and chocolate dip. Thanks to John McConville and Carlton CC for again hosting us. Thanks to all the partners who contributed the delicious nibbles, salads and desserts. Thanks to Social Organiser Gerry Schembri and his support staff, Sylvie for supplying the drinks. I put $30 into the Cup sweeps under the diligent gaze of Trevor “Leadbrokes” Finlayson. Those that I put in the name of nearest and dearest relatives did very well. Those horses in my name are off to the knackery. Our next events include a match against the Australian Cricket Society at Waverley Oval, East Malvern, on Sunday, 15th November. Members wishing to play should contact organiser Tony Ventura. Any member is also welcome to attend the next Committee of Management meeting at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, 8th December at the Glen Waverley Bowling Club. You just need to advise Secretary Dan Bomford for catering purposes. In January, 2016 we will be “going Greek” at a Restaurant Night on the 14th and later that month we will have some tables organised at the annual Melbourne University CC Business Breakfast. Also a group booking for a Theatre Night, to enable those interested to attend “Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical” has been organised for Wed., 17th February. Make room in your diary for these events. As I write, Australia has just won the First Test. Hopefully New Zealand bowl better in Perth to make a contest of the series. A close, hard-fought series with both teams performing well would be a novelty in Test cricket these days. Finally, a word from Sir Donald Bradman who in 1939 wrote for Wisden in an article entitled “Cricket at the Cross Roads” – “…I cannot help feeling that with the quickening of modern tempo, the more Americanised trend which is demanding speed, action and entertainment value, it behoves all of us to realise we are the custodians of the welfare of cricket and must guard its future even more zealously than its present.” Consider the welfare of cricket as you officiate in a two-day game followed by two weekends of T20’s.

Alan McCarthy


FROM THE DESK OF THE UMPIRING MANAGER

Distraction Control As an umpire we set clearly identified goals and objectives. We put plans in place to achieve these objectives but sometimes we get distracted. One skill that can distinguish top performers who remain at the top of their sport is the ability to adapt and refocus in the face of distractions. If you wish to umpire consistently near your best, you must develop the critical skill of distraction control through regular practice. Distractions for cricket umpires can come from a variety of sources. Things like the expectations of others, past experiences with a team or players, your own expectations or anxiety, family members, relationships, colleagues, administrators, financial concerns, fatigue, illness, changes to preparation routines and more importantly, your own thinking before, during and after the game. The important message is that YOU decide whether you allow these areas to distract you and lower your self-confidence. The distractions can place you in a negative frame of mind and take away your focus. You can choose to be distracted or not, dwell on it or let it go. This is one of the most vital components to mental toughness that all cricket umpires need to understand and master in order to be successful and have a long career. We have all worked hard and umpired many games to build the skills and benefit from the experience and the teachings of others. Distractions do not cause us to lose those skills. What happens is you lose focus which means you lose the ability to execute those skills properly. Parts of your umpiring may not go as smoothly as you wish on a certain day and yes, it is disappointing and frustrating. This is a normal emotional response, but you do not have to put yourself down, give up or question your own abilities. You can simply remind yourself to focus in a way that will allow you to umpire your best, given the situation. You can always find a way around, over or through most obstacles and distractions by committing yourself to remaining positive – turning negatives into positives, by drawing out lessons and regaining your focus. This all sounds great but how can you do this? How can you practise this type of mental skill? The truth is, it is hard and as a result, not many people master the skill. As a result we have a select number of champions in sport, only a select number of umpires make it to 1st class level and even fewer make Test Umpires. We all have umpiring skills but one of the elements that separates umpires is the ability to focus at the right time by not getting distracted – distracted on the field in making a decision or distracted from your goals and training. Below are some tips in assisting you on staying on track and maintaining your focus or regaining your focus:


• Commit yourself to remaining positive.

• Focus on doing what will help you stay positive and in control of your thoughts. A strong positive focus protects from distractions.

• Get yourself into a positive frame of mind before a game. Recall your previous good performances, good decisions and positive comments you have received.

• Look for advantages in every situation. Learn something from every experience. This will make you a better umpire and will make you stronger and confident.

• Be rational and practical about the distraction. You can choose to be emotional about it and get caught up in it or you can let these thoughts go.

• Expect distractions and negative thoughts. This is a natural occurrence. Prepare yourself to face potential distractions like getting a decision wrong, an upset player, etc., by not reacting to them and letting them bounce off you. You can deal with these issues later when your focus can be relaxed.

• Know that you can enjoy the game and perform well regardless of the circumstances. Sometimes we have to consciously remind ourselves to enjoy the game and have a laugh in the face of anxiety and worry.

• Turn bad news into good moods. Make a real effort to be positive and happy. Remind yourself repeatedly that you have the ability to control and change your perspective.

• Do what you can and learn from it. Move on and focus on the things within your control. No point in focussing on what other people think.

• After a good day or not so good day, be proud of your efforts and what you have done well. Draw out the positive lessons and then start the new day fresh. No baggage, no distractions.

• Focussing through distractions is probably the most important skill of all for consistently performing at your potential. It is easier said than done, but like most good skills it requires dedication and practice. If something is important enough to do, then it is worth giving it your full attention and focus – not to be distracted from it. It is your choice.

Mental Toughness “The ability to control your thoughts and emotions, and the ability to NOT allow your thoughts and emotions control you”.

Richard Patterson ------------------------------------------------------------

A Comment From the Past! On my first day for Channel 4 at Lord’s I made sure I sat in the box whenever Richie Benaud was commentating. During the afternoon, Michael Slater was on air and was all of a muddle. He wanted to use the past tense of the word ‘sneak’ but wasn’t sure whether it should be ‘snuck’ or ‘sneaked.’ He turned to the doyen of commentators, who was eating a sandwich and studying the form. “Hey, Rich,” he whispered, “can I use the word snuck or is it sneaked?” Richie finished his sandwich and then ticked his fancy. Then, in characteristic fashion, he raised his eyebrow and half turned to Slater. “Michael,” he said, “quite a few ‘ucks’ spring to mind but “sn” is not one of them!” (Michael Atherton, from The Wit of Cricket Barry Johnston (Hodder & Stoughton, 2010) pp 195-6))


MEET OUR NEW PANEL MEMBERS (As was done last year, each of our new Panel Members (eight in all this year) has been invited to submit a brief “Bio” to Law 43 to offer readers the opportunity to get to know them a little better. Two “Bios”, (those from Mick Nolan and Asanga Rajakaruna) were published in the October issue. I am pleased to bring you four more in this issue. I look forward to receiving the remaining two “Bios” to publish in the December issue.

Ed.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rahul Mantri: When I decided to immigrate a few years back from India, the first country that came to my mind was not US, UK or any other European country but it was “The Land of Oz”. The major reason being Cricket connection though I didn’t know what it actually meant or what I was going to do with it and umpiring was not even in my dreams. Call it passion, love, luck or whatever one may, I found my way to be where I wanted to be i.e., in the middle of the ground. I know I have made the best decision of my life by becoming an Umpire and I’m lovin’ it. I am supported in this journey by my wife Mrunal for the last fifteen years,

and two sons, Vedant (13) and Soham (10), the elder being an equal cricket enthusiast. I have moved away from my second love which is Programming but I am still in IT as Project Manager with India’s leading IT company and working in the CBD for one of the “Big 4 Banks” with my desk overlooking my Temple - “The G”.

------------------------------------------------------------ Sudhakar Balreddygari: I am originally from India (Hyderabad), moved to New Zealand in 2002, and lived there for about eight years before my work transfer moved me to Hobart. I have played grade cricket in Hyderabad (MC Club), Auckland (Eden Roskill CC) and Lindisfarne CC in Hobart, before turning my attention to umpiring. In 2011 I have joined Cricket Tasmania Premier League as an umpire, courtesy of my work colleague who introduced me to the association. I started umpiring in U17s / 3rd XIs and gradually moved to 1st XI/WNCL. I have thoroughly enjoyed my umpiring career in Hobart under the mentorship of Mr. Richard Widows, State Umpiring Director - Cricket Tasmania and guided by a fantastic bunch of senior umpires.

Again, my work took me to Melbourne in January this year, working for a Commonwealth department as Accounting Operations Team Leader. I am living in Mount Waverley, married to Latha since ’97 and have two kids: son - Abhiram (15) and daughter Akshara (10).

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Jason Veale: I live in the leafy suburb of Montrose with my beautiful partner Karen and her two wonderful daughters. I have been very fortunate to play cricket with a number of clubs for the best part of 20 years in the ECA and RDCA and have always thoroughly enjoyed being part of this great game. Over the years I've performed a number of roles within cricket, from juniors’ coach, to team captain, to club treasurer. For a number of reasons, playing cricket was no longer possible so I thought that I would get involved in umpiring as I wanted to maintain an active interest in the game. I attended the Winter Umpire classes earlier this year and one thing led to another and now I have the wonderful opportunity to be a part of

Premier Cricket. By day I work as an IT System Administrator and in my leisure time I love golf and footy. (I'm a very proud Hawks supporter.) We have two greyhounds whom we have adopted - can I just say they make amazing pets - as well as a rather large and grumpy cat. I like to think that I am an easy-going sort of person and I look forward to meeting and getting to know all of my Premier Cricket colleagues.

------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Varghese: I was born in India. I migrated to Australia six years ago. Like most Indians, I have grown up playing cricket. I enjoyed playing cricket even after coming to Australia and I was part of some of the social clubs where we played cricket all the year round. I took up Umpiring after having a knee injury from which I found it very hard to recover. Even though I am not playing, I love being a part of cricket as an Umpire. A couple of my friends were on the CV panel and I also wanted to be part of this esteemed

panel of umpires in the State. I tried three times and got lucky on the third time. I am very keen to learn from my fellow colleagues and consider myself lucky to meet some of the best umpires in the country. I am married and our boy is due in March. Off the field, I’m an IT person working for a not-for-profit organization.

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Match Officials for US All-Star Series Yet to be Named More than two dozen of the world's most well-known former players will play Twenty20 matches at Major League Baseball stadiums in New York, Houston and Los Angeles in the week from 7-14 November. Players named to date include Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis, Michael Vaughan, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Mahela Jayawardene’ However, Leverage Agency, the sports and entertainment firm which is organising what is being called the ‘Cricket All-Star Series’, is yet to indicate who the umpires and scorers will be for the three games. The three baseball stadiums are being converted into a cricket stadium for the purpose with the help of “a pitch specialist” from New Zealand. “Pitches crafted in Indianapolis for games,” Warne says, “would be highly competitive.” “To make history in America playing these cricket games - myself and Sachin walking out and tossing the coin in New York will be a pretty epic moment,” he said. Tendulkar was quoted as saying, “We want to leave an impression behind. That’s what we are here for - to entertain people, to leave great memories behind and get them excited about some quality cricket.”

(from Playing the Game, No. 1658-8117, 6th October, 2015)


FURTHER COMMENTS ON CRICKET AT BUNDALAGUAH (Readers will recall the “Letter to the Editor” from Life Member, Noel Grant, and some notes written by Kaitlyn Abrahall, published in the last issue (Law 43 Vol. 22, No. 2, p. 11) which highlighted the famous Bundalaguah Cricket Club. The following letter has been received in response to this previously published item.

Ed.)

------------------------------------------------------------ Public Space & Leisure

Civic Centre 30 Davey Street

Frankston Victoria. 3199

22 October, 2015 Hi Dan, Another excellent issue this month. I read with particular interest the letter from Noel Grant and response from Kaitlyn Abrahall. As I think you know, I also played cricket for Bundy as did my brother. We played all of our junior cricket there and progressed into the senior ranks before moving to Melbourne to play for Hawthorn. I was coached by and played with a number of Wrigglesworths, Abrahalls and Grants. As I continue my involvement in cricket through umpiring, I remain thankful for the foundations in the game and respect for the values and traditions of the game I developed in the years at Bundalaguah. Kind regards,

David Shepard -------------------------------------------------------------

Senior State Umpire Officials Meet with CA Umpire Coach Cricket Australia’s (CA) newly appointed Umpire Coach, Ian Lock, is believed to have held a meeting with senior umpire trainers and managers from around Australia late last week. Little information is available about just what was on the agenda for discussion, however, it would appear the focus was on ways to better standardise umpiring techniques, training, development and reporting systems across the nation. The meeting, which was apparently an initial scoping of ideas on an issue that is not without complexity, seems likely to have concentrated on the top three levels of CA’s umpiring pathway. That starts with those chosen from Premier League club level on to State umpire panel groups, which in turn feeds CA’s second-tier Development Panel, then for those who have the ability, to its top-tier National Umpires’ Panel.

(from Playing the Game, No. 1665-8155, 18th October, 2015) ------------------------------------------------------------


Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaca

Arrival at Sabina Park

John with Lance Gibbs

An appeal by Botha is clearly upheld!

JOHN WARD IN THE WEST INDIES

During our most recent cold winter I was lucky enough to be umpiring in the West Indies in the Caribbean Premier League T20 competition. It is modeled on Cricket Australia's Big Bash featuring overseas and local players and is immensely popular. Plenty of razzamatazz with fireworks, calypso music, horns, whistles and DJs taking precedence over any umpiring considerations. I strongly suspect the DJ was instructed to cut the music once the bowler enters his delivery stride! There was an Australian flavour in the tournament with Brad Hodge representing Guyana and Queenslander Chris Lynne playing for Jamaica. Simon Helmot coached eventual winners, Trinidad, and fellow National Panel colleague, Mick Martell also officiated. I enjoyed umpiring in St Lucia, St Kitts, Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad. There are plenty of challenges in the Caribbean none more so than travel. Battling through customs every trip with seven-hour stop overs in Miami airport wasn't uncommon. An Island may be three hours away but you can be in transit for 13. Power outages also occur regularly and we had one instance of the lights going down as a bowler delivered the ball. Unsurprisingly, television rights are paramount and everything revolves around

the broadcasters needs. We walked off the ground at the conclusion of one match at 12.43 am, such were the timings for the Indian market. I met many legends of West Indian cricket including Lance Gibbs, Clive Lloyd, Desmond Haynes, Courtney Walsh, Brian Lara, Curtly Ambrose, Andy Roberts and Derek Murray. The food was interesting and I had a crack at pig tail soup and cow hoof soup. (I can think of better parts of these animals to eat.) I steered clear of the Dolphin even though I was assured it was just a name they give to a particular fish. I always enjoy the unusual things I see when experiencing


Port of Spain, Trinidad

Ready for the Final in Trinidad

L→R: John Ward, Kelman Kowsler (4th Umpire) and Mick Martell

different cultures. Sometimes they are confronting, witnessing the slaughter of a pig is just a way of life over there but not something I'm used to. I was warned that the Caribbean can be a dangerous place with lawlessness common. I didn't experience this but must point out that we stayed in very secure hotels with tight security. I always followed the advice of local umpires Joel Wilson who attended one of our T & D meetings last season, Peter Nero and Patrick Gustard who were fantastic hosts and great to work with. The atmosphere at these iconic grounds was electric and I’ll never forget the noise in Trinidad when I gave an LBW that obviously pleased the home crowd.

It was a long six weeks and I did miss the footy but I would do it again if invited. I met my wife in New York afterwards for a two-week holiday without kids for the first time in 25 years. This capped off one of the greatest experiences in my life.

John Ward

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Cricket Should be an Olympic Sport Colin Graves, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has insisted cricket should be part of the Olympics, opening the way for the sport’s possible inclusion in the 2024 Games. Graves’s predecessor, Giles Clarke, always resisted the move, arguing that the cost to English cricket of interrupting the summer schedule every four years was too high. But Graves told Cricinfo, “I think it should be an Olympic sport in one format or another and I will be asking the board to support it.” He believes a short format version of the game could work at a future Olympic Games. “I’m not saying Twenty20 is the way to do it: somebody might come up with something entirely different – a 10-over competition, who knows? It’s about fitting it into the schedule and the grounds, wherever the Olympics are held.” If cricket were accepted into the Olympic fold, it would unlock millions of dollars of government funding for the sport in countries where it remains on the periphery. But Graves’s ambition may need the support of the Indian Board, who have shown no interest in cricket’s inclusion in the Games for fear of losing control of their star players’ image rights. David Richardson, the chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has indicated that the ICC will hold further discussions on the possibility of cricket taking its place in the Olympics sometime in the future.

(from Playing the Game, No. 1665-8161, 19th October, 2015) ------------------------------------------------------------


The race is on! For young and old!

REPORT FROM CUP DAY

As has been mentioned by President Alan McCarthy in his column, the Cup-Day BBQ was again a successful event, at least for those 40 or so members and families in attendance. The results of the sweeps were as follows and the sequence of pictures, with acknowledgements to Alan McCarthy and Sylvie and Gerry Schembri, “tell the tale” of the day. The two “donkeys” drawn by Peter Hooper are worth a mention since cricket is such a game of statistics. Relevant to these statistics for Peter are the “donkeys” which he has backed previously – 2010, 2012 and 2013. This must surely be a significant VCAUSA statistical record! Sweep 1 Sweep 2 Sweep 3 1. Prince of Penzance Suzanne Collins Sue McCarthy Cameron Denmead 2. Max Dynamite Sue McCarthy Soham Mantri Stuart McCarthy 3. Criterion Trevor Finlayson Stuart McCarthy Greg Hooper Last Snow Sky John Richards Danielle Ventura Peter Hooper Sweep 4 1. Prince of Penzance Darrell Holt 2. Max Dynamite John Collins 3. Criterion Penelope Bomford Last Snow Sky Peter Hooper


MACCA’S BOOK REVIEW

“BRADMAN’S WAR” Malcolm Knox (Penguin, Melbourne, 2012) ISBN 9780670076109 England in 1948 was tired of austerity and rationing and eagerly awaited the touring Australians. England was still “mired in war debt” and “daily life was harder than it had been during the war,” writes Malcolm Knox, award winning Sydney Morning Herald cricket writer. Australian teams had always been popular in England and the prospect of watching Bradman, Hassett, Morris, Miller and Lindwall play against Washbrook, Hutton, Edrich, Compton, Yardley and Bedser in a Five-Test series had the crowds excited and the Marylebone Cricket Club rubbing their hands in anticipation. The 1945 Victory Tests between an almost full strength England and an Australian combined services XI had been played in excellent spirit. The unofficial series ended 2-2 with one match drawn. Warrant Officer Lindsay Hassett captained Australia and in the XI was Graham Williams, recently released from a German POW camp and severely underweight. Hassett was the only Australian with Test experience, the rest being Sheffield Shield players including a Mosquito pilot and Victorian batsman, Keith Miller. Miller would relieve the exhausted Williams at the bowling crease and he became Australia’s greatest all-rounder. The series celebrated the game and the participants played in cavalier fashion. That style of play in the Test arena was something never allowed under the captaincy of Don Bradman. In 1940, Bradman joined the Royal Australian Air Force and was made a Lieutenant. But the RAAF had more men than required and he was transferred to the army’s physical training school at Frankston. He was to serve overseas as a training instructor but by the end of 1940 his health declined rapidly. His eyesight was poor and he suffered from fibrositis, a nervous muscular complaint. He went on extended sick leave and in June, 1941 was discharged. Bradman moved to Adelaide, becoming a stockbroker, but in July, 1945 the firm went bankrupt. He started his own firm and while he did not go on the Australian tour of New Zealand, he was monitoring the team which was having “a good time, first, last and always” according to Victoria’s Ian Johnson. Bradman returned to the team for the MCC tour in 1946-47. In the First Test at Brisbane he hit the ball to second slip but refused to walk thinking it was a bump ball. The umpires agreed and he went on to score 187 out of 645. England knew that Bradman, who Dennis Compton called “the most merciless of entertainers,” was back. Bradman remembered 1928 when England set Australia over 700 to win the game, never forgave Wally Hammond for not declaring until 7/903 in 1938 and felt that Bodyline was a personal attack. Bradman told Keith Miller during the 1948 tour, “Play it tough, all the way. Grind them into the dust.” Bradman’s “way of playing sport was war by another name”. The team did not lose a match and became “The Invincibles”.

Alan McCarthy ------------------------------------------------------------


ADVANCED NOTICE FOR THEATRE NIGHT

The VCAUSA Social Committee is organising a night out to see the production of Georgy Girl – the Seekers Musical.

VENUE Her Majesty's Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne DATE Wednesday, 17th February, 2016 TIME 7pm start COST Early Bird $76.00 per head A group booking of 20 A-reserve seats was made for the above price, by the Early Bird deadline of 31st October. If you would like to be part of this group attending, please reply to: Trevor Finlayson Tel: (W) (03) 9035 8009

(H) (03) 9803 1142 Mob: 0408 053 712

email: [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------


VCAUSA CALENDAR

The 2015-16 VCAUSA calendar as far as is known at this stage is as follows:

Date Activity Notes Tuesday, 17 November, 7:00 pm

CV T&D Meeting Morton Pavilion, Junction Oval

Tuesday, 8 December, 7:30 pm

VCAUSA CoM Meeting Glen Waverley Bowls Club

Tuesday, 15 December, 7:00 pm

CV T&D Meeting (Team Photograph)

Morton Pavilion, Junction Oval

Tuesday, 12 January, 7:30 pm


Thursday, 14 January VCAUSA Restaurant Night Jim’s Greek Tavern, Collingwood

Friday, 29 January MUCC Business Breakfast (VCAUSA Table(s))

RACV Club, Melbourne

Tuesday, 2 February, 6:30 pm

CV T&D Meeting (NZ Exchange), BBQ

Venue TBA

Tuesday, 9 February, 7:30 pm


Sunday, 14 February Social Cricket Match, VCAUSA vs Mt Waverley Vets

Venue TBC

Wednesday, 17 February, 7:00 pm

Theatre Night ‘Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical’

Her Majesty’s Theatre (See advertisement in this Issue)

Tuesday, 8 March, 7:00 pm

CV T&D Meeting (Finals Umpires only)

CV, Jollimont

Saturday, 26 March VCAUSA Finals BBQ Tent Jollimont Oval Friday, 22 April VCAUSA Dinner &

Presentation Night Veneto Club, Bulleen

10-13 June Joint VCAUSA/SACUSA CoMs Meeting

Penola, South Australia

An Ideal Gift for You or Your Friends The VCAUSA has recently purchased a stock of embroidered, new style, polo shirts. Made from 100% lightweight polyester, they are now available for purchase in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. The member cost is only $35. Anyone interested should contact Glenn Cumming ([email protected]) while stocks are still available.

Documents

Law 43 Nov 2015 Issue - VCAUSAvcausa.vic.cricket.com.au/files/15551/files/Law 43 Nov...Volume 22 Number 3 2015-2016 Page 4 FROM THE EDITOR In this our third issue for season 2015-16,