Law 43 Sept 2015 Issue - VCAUSAvcausa.vic.cricket.com.au/files/15551/files/Law 43 Sept 2015 Issue.pdf · Cricket Victoria (CV) is acknowledged for the printing of hard copies

Page 1

In This Issue: • From the Editor • …And the President • From the Desk of the Umpiring Manager • Australian Women Win “The Ashes” • How to Manage “Big Merv” • Meet your Committee of Management for 2015-16 • 2015 Australian Masters’ & Junior Indoor Championships • President’s “Holiday Snap” • Macca’s Book ReviewVCA Umpires’ & Scorers’ Association Newsletter Vol. 22 No.1, 2015-2016 season

Law 43

September, 2015

Winning “Art Work” from the Butler Trophy, Easter, 2015 (see “From the Editor”, page 4, for details)

Volume 22 Number 1 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……………………………………….. 6 From the Desk of the Umpiring Manager………………….. 7 Australian Women Win “The Ashes”………………………. 5 How to Manage “Big Merv”………………………………….. 9 Meet your Committee of Management for 2015-16…....…10 2015 Aust. Masters’ & Junior Indoor C’ships.....………….13 President’s “Holiday Snap”…...……………………………...14 Macca’s Book Review…………………..……………………15 VCAUSA Calendar……………..…………………………….16


FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to season 2015-16 for which the usual opening on the first Saturday in October will become a “Public Holiday Friday” opening, weather permitting. For those of you who may be wondering about the front cover image, I should explain. For the Family Day event during the Easter, 2015 visit to Melbourne by SACUSA members and their families, the organisers had chosen a Trivia Contest as the competitive “sport” to decide the winner of the coveted Butler Trophy. One aspect of the contest was a colouring competition and from amongst the efforts submitted, that from Table 2 (shown as the front cover feature on this issue) was adjudged to be the best one of all. I am reliably informed that the colouring was the sole work of Chris Allan. It is not clear whether Chris was given the colouring task by his “Team Captain” on account of his lack of contribution to the rest of Table 2’s efforts in the Trivia Contest’ But congratulations Chris, on making the front cover of the first issue of Law 43 for this season. Speaking of Chris, some Association members may be surprised to learn that after a long career on the Premier panel, which began in 1997, he has decided to retire. His career of 302 matches, including 210 with First XIs, is most commendable. He will be missed as both CV Panel and Association member and we wish him well for the future. We hope he will continue as an Associate Member of our Association. Chris will continue as Advisor for the Gisborne and District Association so perhaps we may see him again on those occasional rounds when umpires on a “reserve list’ must be called upon to enable our Umpiring Manager to appoint two umpires to all CV matches. Newly elected President, Alan McCarthy, offers both appreciation for the efforts of the previous Committee of Management and some thoughts for the coming season in the usual column, “… And The President.” I am reliably informed that, as was the pattern established with this column last season, you will not hear from Alan for each issue but the column is to be shared alternately with Vice-President, Gerry Schembri. Richard Patterson will continue his column, “From the Desk of the Umpiring Manager,” and in this issue, in addition to outlining the “goings and comings” on to the Panel, he suggests a few changes for the “modus operandum” within his office. Richard has also included some thoughts on “being coached” from Simon Taufel which I thoroughly recommend as “a good read.” Mention of Richard, reminds me that from this issue onwards, our distribution of Law 43 will change significantly. My finally edited file will be submitted to Richard’s Office as a *.pdf but rather than having him waste time and “Australia’s trees” in printing 120 copies, he will only print sufficient copies for those members who, for whatever reason, cannot receive or prefer not to receive their copy electronically. Our Secretary is aware of some such members and these will receive this issue in the post as usual. However, if you would prefer to receive a “hard copy,” then please notify the Secretary to this effect and a copy will be printed for you in the future. I must also thank Richard for his offer to email the electronic file to the CV Panel members.. Other


Association members (including all Scorer members) will receive their electronic copy from the Secretary. The issue continues with an introduction to each member of your Committee of Management and other Office Holders of your Association for the coming season. For those who did not attend the AGM in August, you will note that the number of ordinary committee members on the CoM which has been only three in recent years, will be seven for this season, in accord with our Rules. Indeed, we welcome Kaitlyn Abrahall on to the CoM as the Scorers’ representative. Matt Robertson spent some of his “off-season” umpiring at the Australian Indoor Champrionships and has given us a report on his experiences. Congratulations to Matt for his selection to umpire at these championships and I recommend his article to you. We also have another in the series “Macca’s Book Review,” this one featuring his comments on the recently published autobiography of the controversial, Kevin Pietersen. I hope that this second review by Alan McCarthy might prompt some other readers to “put pen to paper” or “fingers to keyboard” to write a review on something recently read. It does not have to be a cricket book and the name of the column can be changed slightly from “Macca.” The back cover provides you with the Association Diary, as best it is known at this time and, as has become the custom, I have filled small spaces with items of topical interest.

Trevor Finlayson ------------------------------------------------------------

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN WIN “THE ASHES”

Whether or not the recent cricket between the Women’s teams from Australia and England should be called “The Ashes” is perhaps a debatable point, given the history behind that “coveted trophy” for the Men’s exchange between these two cricketing nations. But there is no doubt the Australian Women’s Team “showed up” the Australian Men’s Team during this recent summer on English soil and we witnessed a most unusual Men’s “Ashes” series with no Test match being drawn and no Test match extending into Day 5. The there was Trent Bridge where cricket history was re-written with the Australian Men’s Team dismissed for a mere 60 runs, Sadly many of the batsmen’s efforts which resulted in dismissals at Trent Bridge could only have been described as “school-boyish”, or is this simply a consequence of “the white ball mentality?” If this is the source of the problem, maybe the Women’s format for their “Ashes” carnival, is something which, in this day and age when “the three forms” of our great game are being played at all levels, should be copied as the format for future Men’s “Ashes” exchanges. Or is it simply time to remind ourselves of the origins of “Women’s Cricket?”

Women’s Cricket has always been more than just an appendage to the men’s game. After all, the first Women’s World Cup was staged in 1973 – two years before the men’s version. Indeed, the first report of a women’s cricket match appeared in the Reading Mercury as early as 26 July, 1745. “The greatest cricket match that was ever played in the South part of England was on Friday, the 26th of last month, on Gosden Common, near Guildford, in Surrey, between eleven maids of Bramley and eleven maids of Hambledon, dressed all in white. The Bramley maids had blue ribbons and the Hambledon maids red ribbons on their heads. The Bramley girls got 119 notches and the Hambledon girls 127. There was of bothe sexes the greatest number that ever was seen on such an occasion. The girls bowled, batted, ran and catches as well as most men could do in that game.’

(from No-balls and Googlies – A Cricket Companion – Geoff Tibballs (Callistemon Books, 2006) pp 91 & 92)

Ed.


… AND THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to season 2015-16. At the Annual General Meeting at the Cricket Victoria offices on Tuesday, 25th August I assumed the role of President of the Committee of Management of the VCAUSA. Vice-President (and former President) Gerry Schembri had discussed his succession plan with me a year ago and as we switch roles I thank Gerry on behalf of the members for his outstanding work as President. Gerry is also taking over the role of Social Organiser from John Collins. Gerry and John’s planning skills ensured that the Easter exchange with SACUSA was one of the most successful Crockett Shield weekends ever. John and Suzanne Collins have arranged many terrific social events over the past few years including theatre and restaurant nights and the Cup Day barbecue. Their hard work has been appreciated by all who attended these memorable occasions. Our association is in a good financial position thanks to the diligence of Treasurer Trevor Finlayson. Trevor will continue in that role as well as being Editor of Law 43. Secretary Dan Bomford also continues and the work that he and Historian Bill Ellemor put into the Annual Report demonstrates their commitment to the association. Nowhere else can you view the statistics of all umpires and scorers at a glance. The Committee welcomes back Tony Ventura (Social Cricket organiser), Luke Edwards (Website guru) and John Collins. Newcomers to the committee this year are Kaitlyn Abrahall (Essendon’s 2nd XI scorer), John Richards, Glenn Schache and Rob Sturgeon. Elsewhere in Law 43 you will see our upcoming events starting with the Committee of Management meeting on Tuesday, 6th October at 7:00 pm at the Glen Waverley Bowls Club. Any member is welcome to attend. Just contact Secretary Dan Bomford and let him know you are coming. The first social event will be the Cup Day barbecue at Carlton Cricket Club as a welcome to the season for our new members and old friends. As we bask in the glory of our Crockett Shield winning team and lament our loss in the Butler Trophy Trivia Day, I would like to thank the partners and families of all our committee members for their patience and support over the past year. Without them your Association would not be as strong as it is. Speaking of glory, thankfully the Southern Stars carried off the Women’s Ashes. “The Inconsistent Series” could be the title accorded to the Men’s Ashes as both sides alternated between brilliance and disorder from Test to Test. Just goes to show – don’t ever bet on a two-horse race. Finally, I found this musing from Archbishop William Temple (1881 – 1944) – “Personally I have always looked on cricket as organized loafing”. To all members - have a great season and enjoy the journey.

Alan McCarthy


FROM THE DESK OF THE UMPIRING MANAGER

Welcome to the 2015-16 season. The winter has gone by so quickly it seems like yesterday when Ringwood won the Premiership. Quite a few changes have occurred over the period of the season in which we don’t play. Cricket Australia has released its new Community Website http://community.cricket.com.au/umpire#. This website has some tremendous resources available for both new and experienced umpires. It houses all of the Accreditation programs which are now completed on-line. Community Officiating (Level 1) is now the minimum standard required to begin to umpire at a competition level. Representative Officiating (Level 2) is aimed more at those who wish to upskill and move towards umpiring Premier Cricket. It would be remiss of me not to mention Daryl Cox. Coxy spent many years with Cricket Victoria either as an Umpire or Umpires Officer. Much of our training material can be attributed to Daryl and his efforts in this area were fantastic. He was a great foil for me over the past two years and I wish him well for his future endeavours in retirement. We welcome eight new panel members this year:: Nilantha Thillekarathna, Michael Nolan, Farukh Rahman, Sudhakar Balreddygari, Jason Veale, Rahul Mantri, Paul Varghese and Asanga Rajakaruna. We are also welcoming back Tony Ward and Courtney Lai after a years sabbatical from umpiring. We say farewell to Chris Allan, Toby Bath, Andrew Crompton, Vinnie McKernan, Neil Schlittler, Theone Van Der Merwe and David Woodruff and thank them all for their services to umpiring in Victoria. Steve Davis and Rod Kerrison have taken a step back from full time umpiring this year and have become members of our Supplementary Panel. As I have mentioned on a couple of occasions (probably too many) I will be travelling to the USA and Canada in December and January. I will actually only be missing two rounds of cricket. During my break there will be a contact name and contact details for any queries you have. These will be sent to you closer to the date. I have decided this year that I will be forwarding most documents to you electronically. The Umpires Manual and Playing Conditions are examples. I am not trying to cut costs in regards to paper, etc. but I am trying to cut time. Without having full-time assistance I am looking to work smarter, not harder. This frees me up to continue to forward Captains’ comments from their weekly reports along with my comments. These reports will be forwarded out to you on the Wednesday following receipt from the Captains.


Please find below an article written by Simon Taufel in regards to “Getting the Best out of your Coach”. Simon points out that the first step towards improvement is to recognise that there is room for improvement.

Introduction Coaches can help us to feel competent and confident in our abilities to reach our goals. The best coaches understand that when you feel valued and respected, you give more of yourself and perform at a higher level. We should be supportive, calm and help boost your confidence by providing you with adequate confidence enhancing feedback. Both cricket umpires and coaches need positive feedback and encouragement — we all appreciate support and constructive comments. Below are some tips to help the cricket umpires and coaches create a better working relationship as they strive for improved performance and advancement. 1. Help your coach understand what works best for you and your performance — do

you like a lot or little involvement from your coach? When is the best time for your coach to get involved during a game? What workload do you want leading up to a game? When is the best time for you to train? When is the best time and way for you and your coach to communicate? What is it that you expect from your coach?

2. Work on improving your own communication skills — don't expect the coach to be able to read your mind! If you have an issue or problem then let him know. Respond to questions honestly and openly, ask plenty of questions yourself. Say what you mean and provide clear instructions to your coach of what you expect and how your coach can help you achieve certain goals.

3. Take responsibility to do what is best for you and your performance — it is unrealistic to expect your coach to do what is best for you if you are not already doing it too! No one is more responsible for your training, preparation and performance than you. If you fail in these areas, then the first person to look at is yourself. Your coach will only be as good as you let him be.

4. Develop your capacity to direct and control your own focus and actions — your coach can provide you with a training program and support you in your endeavours but if you do not have the ability to keep focussing on your goals and act according to those goals, then the coaching will be ineffective.

5. Draw upon fellow umpires or those who are closest to you if you need additional support — if you need extra assistance from others, extra motivation, extra inspiration, then ask for help. If the coach cannot provide you with something you need, search elsewhere — it's up to you

6. If all else fails, the best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm — this again places the responsibility for your training, preparation and performance with you

Don't forget to enlist the support of family and clearly communicate your goals and training needs with them. Performance is enhanced and improvements are made when coaches and umpires work together to create a positive environment and share responsibilities for improving ongoing communication. If you want to get the best out of yourself and your situation, it helps to solve problems in a mature, responsible way.


As cricket umpires, we have to remember that coaches are people too. Most of them, if not all, are trying to do their best but they are not mind readers. You can take some responsibility to communicate with your coach if you want things to improve. Consider meeting with your coach at a relaxed time to talk constructively about what you feel will help you improve. Tell him what makes you work best or most efficiently, what kind of communication you prefer, as well as what upsets you and diminishes your performance. It is vital to communicate your training preferences to your coach so that you can optimise your chance of improving certain skills. Good coaches who are really interested in helping each umpire will accept and act on this information. Conclusion Your umpiring coach has a responsibility to get the best performance out of you and the only way that he can do that is to get to know you and your preferences. If the coach is not succeeding, then the responsibility is with you to communicate openly, constructively and positively with him to improve the relationship and outcome. Respectful communication is two way. It is not easy to communicate openly and constructively especially in conflict situations. However, if you can do this, then at least there is a chance of positive change. Without it things will stay the same.

Some of the points made here by Simon are aimed at a high level but are certainly relevant to us all. In regards to coaching I am very interested in re-instituting net practice sessions during the season. I have spoken to the club coaches and they are more than willing to have umpires attend training sessions. I will be available on Thursday nights to assist anyone who wishes to have some coaching sessions. I will forward further details around these sessions in the near future. I look forward to working with you all in what will again be a busy year. Good luck and remember “do the basics extraordinarily well”.

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

HOW TO MANAGE “BIG MERV” Merv Hughes was a tremendous character and I got on well with him. But in a Test match at Headingley, England were playing Australia and Merv was bowling to Graeme Hick. Now Merv didn’t rate Graeme Hick at all, he didn’t think he could play, and his language was disgraceful. Honestly, Hick was playing and missing and Merv was swearing, with that big walrus moustache of his quivering, and I’ve never heard language like it. I said, ‘Merv, I wanr you yo be a good boy. I want you to stop swearing. He said, ‘This feller can’t play.’ I said, ‘Look, Merv, be a good boy and stop swearing, please. Now go back to your mark and get on with your bowling.’ Merv walked past me to go back to his mark, to bowl the next delivery, and he looked at me as he walked past. He said, ‘Dickie, you’re a legend!’ I said, ‘Well, be a good boy now, no more swearing.’ He said, ‘All right Dickie, for you I’ll not swear again.’ And the next ball Hick played and missed and you’ve never heard language like it!

(Dickie Bird, from The Wit of Cricket Barry Johnston (Hodder & Stoughton, 2010) pp 216-8)


MEET YOUR COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT FOR 2015-16 President: Alan McCarthy Alan joined the panel in 2008 and the committee in 2013. He has umpired 113 Premier matches, starting in the Fourths and now in the Seconds. Alan played sub-district cricket with Frankston and Ormond and has coached at junior and senior levels. Alan also played in the Melbourne mid-week competition for Victoria Police. Alan retired as a Senior Sergeant and is now the Community Engagement Coordinator at Doveton College. He coaches school students in a variety of sports, including cricket, for the Australian Sports

Commission’s Sporting Schools Program. Alan is also President of the Board of the Casey Cardinia Community Legal Service. Alan is married to Sue and has three boys.

Vice-President & Social Organiser: Gerry Schembri Gerry joined the CV umpires panel in season 2006/07 and has umpired a total of 156 Premier and VWCA matches. Prior to joining the CV Panel, Gerry spent one season umpiring in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association after a twenty year absence from the game due to family and business commitments. Gerry has served on the VCAUSA committee of management as Treasurer for four years and as President for the past two years. In addition to his role as Vice President, he has also accepted the

role of Social Organiser for the coming season. Gerry works as a consultant public practice accountant, is married to Sylvie and has two children.

Secretary: Dan Bomford Dan is one of the four Victorian Premier umpires who have umpired in excess of 500 Premier (or higher level) games (549 by the end of season 2014-15) although in Dan’s case these have all been Premier games, the majority of which have been in First Grade. Dan commenced with the VCA in 1979 and has served the Association in the roles of Secretary (eight seasons, 1985-6 to 1987-8 and 2010-11 to the present), Treasurer (12 seasons, 1983-84, 1984-85 and 1993-94 to 2002-03) and Vice-President (five seasons, 2005-06 to 2009-10). He was awarded Life Membership of the Association in 1989. Dan and wife Bernadette enjoy their family life with three children and four grandchildren and

somehow Dan still finds the time for his “other loves,” running half marathons and goal umpiring during the “off-season.”

Treasurer & Law 43 Editor: Trevor Finlayson Trevor has been on the panel since 2003. He has umpired 178 Premier matches, mostly in the Thirds and Fourths, with a few in the VWCA. Following three years as Social Organiser for the Association, he was President from 2008-2013 and then Treasurer for seasons 2013-14 and 2014-15. Trevor’s playing career was in Central Queensland, Brisbane, England and Melbourne where he played over 300 games for the former Monash University Cricket Club of which he was elected to Life Memberhip in 1987.

Upon retirement from playing he undertook one season of umpiring in the Sub-District Cricket Association prior to joining the Premier panel. Trevor is married (to Jill), has three children and six grandchildren. Committee Member (Scorers): Kaitlyn Abrahall Kaitlyn joined the committee as a scorer representative in 2015 after her first season of scoring Premier cricket for the Essendon 2nd's. Kaitlyn has previously scored in the Sale Maffra Cricket Association and has also played cricket for Bundalaguah and representative cricket for Gippsland. Kaitlyn works as an accountant for Fordham Business


Advisors and enjoys following the cricket and AFL in her spare time. Committee Member: John Collins John commenced as an Umpire with the then VCA during the 1990-91 season and has umpired 390 Premier matches across all grades but with a majority in the Seconds. For the past six years, he has been in a position of mentoring new umpires for Cricket Victoria. John was President of the Association from 2005-6 to 2007-8 and has served as Social Organiser for the past seven seasons. In this task he has been most efficiently supported by his wife, Suzanne. He was awarded Life Membership of the VCAUSA in 2010. In cricket outside of CV, John is involved with The Crusaders, having toured and umpired in

the UK, Europe and Asia – experiences he well remembers. Having retired from full-time employment at Xavier College in August, 2013, John would like to recommend retirement to all those thinking about it!

Committee Member: Luke Edwards Luke has been a member of the Premier Umpiring Panel since the 2009/10 season. He has umpired 105 Premier matches with the majority of those games being in the Third XI. Luke has been a Committee Member of the association for the past four years and is responsible for looking after both the VCAUSA Website and Facebook Page. Committee Member: John Richards John joined the Panel in 2008 and will be “raising the bat” mid-this season for his 100th match. John’s playing career has been undistinguished, most recently as captain of the Toorak-Prahran lowest possible grade XI, then at East Malvern Tooronga slightly lower grade XI (highlights - Graham Slater giving him an LBW, and the “obstructing the field” tied game played with Luke Edwards.). This season he is joining Rob Sturgeon at Mount Waverley CC Veterans, in search of an even lower standard. In real life John founded and ran an IT company, which was sold off a while ago.

Since then he has been living off the proceeds and trying hard to avoid further employment. His other interests include hockey (goalkeeper at Power House St Kilda HC), running (5 marathons, admittedly none recently), sledging his teammates in VCAUSA cricket matches, spotting Courtney Lai in AFL telecasts, SuperCoach (career highlight - beating Zach Schloeffel in 2014), and reading Law 43.

Committee Member: Glenn Schache Glenn is a 48-year-old, proud Kiwi with a great wife Robbi, and three wonderful kids – Joran (16), Crysalia (10) & Savannah (20 months). He joined the CV panel in 2013 after migrating from NZ the previous year and has stood in 44 games across all grades except 1sts (so far!). He admits to being “wrapped to have played in two Crockett Shield games to date with a 50% success rate.” Previously, Glenn had umpired at home in NZ around the Counties Manukau & Northern Districts areas. He played club & social cricket in his younger days – emphasis on the social. He was always involved on

the committee at his club and was scorer/assistant manager for the Counties First X1 for a number of years prior to taking up umpiring. Glenn’s favourite moments in cricket so far are scoring in a Test Match in Hamilton in 1997, NZ v Sri Lanka, scoring in an ODI at Taupo, NZ v India, and umpiring in the National Club Championships in Auckland. This is where he met a young Phil Gillespie, who was on exchange, and watched the McCullum brothers put on over 200 runs in about 30 overs!!! He admits to


having really enjoyed being part of the CV panel and umpiring in Melbourne. Nowhere else in the world can one get to umpire social games on the best ground in world cricket!!

Committee Member: Rob Sturgeon Rob has recently completed his first season with the CV panel and has appreciated the support from their mentor program as well as enjoying the socials organised by the Association. He started umpiring when he was team manager for both his sons’ (Matt, 17 and Cam, 15) teams at Mt Waverley Cricket Club and then became one of their club umpires for the seniors. He still continues to umpire for their junior matches throughout the season.

As a player he is a late starter having played his first season in 2013 when Mt Waverley CC decided to make a new Vets team for the parents of their junior players. He is regularly down at the nets with Matt and Cam and will be playing Vets again this season. Rob organises the administration of the “Dads’ Vets”, and due to increased demand, hopes to have a third team playing this season. He is married (to Ruth) and when not involved with cricket, enjoys golf, tennis and cycling.

Committee Member: Tony Ventura Tony joined the CV panel 1999-2000 and has umpired 278 Premier matches over all grades. Tony also umpired in the Sub-District Association for one season before joining the CV panel. He also played for 16 years in the Jika Cricket Association (now Northern Metropolitan Cricket Association) for Preston Druids CC. Tony has been an Association committee member for several years in the roles of Vice-President and Committee Member. His major role on the committee has been the organisation of our social cricket matches. All members who still have their “competitive juices” flowing can still get involved. All you need to do is

make it known and make yourself available. Tony is married (to Teresa) and has two children, one of each.

…. AND OTHER OFFICE HOLDERS FOR THE ASSOCIATION Miscellaneous Appointments Officer: Darrell Holt Darrell joined CV panel in 1980. Including First-Class appointments, he has umpired 580 CV matches. Has umpired cricket matches in 24 countries. Darrell’s playing career extended across Garfield, Northcote & Preston and Heidelberg District (all now defunct). Currently he is the Umpiring Director for North-West Metropolitan CA, following 16 years as Director for Heidelberg District CA. Awarded Life Membership of the VCAUSA, NWMCA, Heidelberg District CA and Diamond Valley/Northern

Football Leagues. In 1999 Darrell was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study cricket umpiring and scoring in the UK. He confesses to being married to a “long-suffering, cricket widow”, Heather, with one grown-up daughter. As the Association’s Miscellaneous Appointments Officer, Darrell has a large number of organisations regularly seeking umpires for a broad range of mid-week matches.

Badges and Accessories: Glenn Cumming Glenn first joined the panel in 1990-91 and has umpired 322 matches across all grades. In recent seasons he has also served as a Mentor in Third Grade. He has also umpired two Crockett Shield Matches, 2007 (at Cricket Willow, Daylesford) and 2009 (at Scotch College, Adelaide). He has had the task of Badges and Accessories Officer for the last five seasons and would be delighted to dispose of stock items from his home, for an acceptable price.


Toombul Indoor Sports Centre

2015 CA AUSTRALIAN MASTERS’ & JUNIOR INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hi Everyone, Welcome back after what I hope was a fantastic and productive off season for everyone. As some of you may or may not know I also umpire Vicleague Indoor Cricket which is the top level in the State and keeps me very busy as there are centres all over Melbourne. Every year Cricket Australia runs three National Tournaments (Masters, Juniors & Opens). I was fortunate enough to be selected by Cricket Australia along with seven other umpires from around Australia, to umpire both the Masters and Juniors tournaments.

The Australian Masters Championships was held at Silverwater Indoor Sports in Sydney between 23/5/15 – 30/5/15, with many different age groups being represented, (Over 30’s. Over 35’s, Over 40’s, Over 45’s & Over 50’s), with all States being represented including North Queensland and NZ in the Over 40’s and Over 45’s. (Does that qualify me as an international umpire?). As a general rule we all umpired 3-4 games a day in one-on, one-off type roster with the first game starting at 9:00am and the final game each day starting at 8:30pm. The standard of play for this tournament was exceptional and I must admit the older grades surprised me a little with just how good they were.

After a fantastic Umpiring Seminar with Tournament Director David Shepley - some of you may recognise the name - it was off to the Centre to familiarise ourselves with the Centre facilities and the Team Managers meeting where all Playing Regulations and Rule Changes are discussed with the teams and Cricket Australia, so that everyone is “on the same page.” After a fantastic week of hard-fought action it ended with Queensland dominating and winning all grades except the Over 35’s. and myself being selected to umpire the Over 50’s Prelim. Final between Queensland and Victoria. The Australian Junior Championships were held at Toombul Indoor Sports in Brisbane between 4th and 11th July, again with a lot of age groups being represented,. (Under 13, Under 15, Under-17 Boys and Under-17 Girls). All states were


U15’s National Indoor Championships, WA vs NSW with Matt Robertson officiating

Gerry Schembri on NZ holiday, with David Henderson (left) and Eugne Sanders (right).

represented in all age groups including the ACT, North Queensland and NSW Cyclones which is the NSW Country team. With this year being a World Cup Year and Australian Selection up for grabs the competition was extremely fierce and I would not be surprised to see more than a couple of the players representing the Men’s and Women’s outdoor teams in the future. As there was a different group of umpires we had another Umpires’ Seminar and Meeting with all the Team Managers to discuss the new “Timed Innings” rule that was introduced this year. Again it was an amazing week full of sensational cricket and sportsmanship ending in Victoria taking out the Under 13 and Under 15 titles, with both Victorian teams going through the tournament undefeated. Q’ld won the Under-17 Boys and NSW Cyclones the Under-17 Girls. For me personally, it was a fantastic week where I felt I was umpiring extremely well, which culminated in being selected for the Under 15 Prelim. Final between Western Australia and South Australia which was live-streamed on cricket.com.au and viewed by over 100,000 people, so the tech people tell me.

Overall it was an amazing experience that I will definitely be putting my hand up to do next year, hopefully, with the added opportunity to be selected for the Masters’ World Cup which is being help in Birmingham, England, in 2016. I also feel it’s a great way to keep my eye in over the off-season and would certainly recommend everyone try to umpire at least one game to see how you find it. If anyone would like more info on the tournaments or on how to get involved with either playing or umpiring Indoor Cricket, I’m

always happy to chat about it. Finals are starting this week for the Super League season but all Indoor Cricket Centres have Domestic competitions that run year around and everyone is always welcome. Thanks and have a great season everyone.

Matt Robertson --------------------------------------------------------------

PRESIDENT’S “HOLIDAY SNAP” During the off-season, as a break from watching his favourite AFL team, President, Gerry Schembri and Silvie, took a short trip “across the ditch” where they had the opportunity to renew the acquaintances of two of our recent CV/NZ exchange visitors from the Canterbury Cricket Association, David Henderson (2015) and Eugene Sanders (2014), over a pleasant night out in a restaurant in Christchurch. Gerry found it great to hear about the benefits of the umpire exchange program and how the umpiring careers of these two visitors have advanced as a result of their experiences. As an example, Eugene has recently been elevated to the New Zealand Cricket Reserve Umpires’ Panel.


MACCA’S BOOK REVIEW

KP: The Autobiography, Kevin Pietersen (Sphere, London, 2014) ISBN 978 0 75155755 8 Anyone who has watched Kevin Pietersen bat will recall his brilliance and eccentricity. Capable of a decisive knock to turn a match and also giving his wicket away in a moment of apparent madness. His autobiography is written in a similar vein. He is at times insightful and at other times maddening as he jumps back and forth through his career. KP begins his tale with his sacking from the England team in February, 2014. Later in the book you learn that he was born in Natal, South Africa, with an Afrikaner father and an English mother. Pietersen was one of four brothers. He played rugby and cricket at school and developed into an off-spin bowler. In 2000, aged 20, he left for England and later lamented the fact that he “…overplayed his Englishness”. He regretted kissing the three English lions on his helmet after making a century in a Test Match in South Africa. He always thought that he didn’t “…march in step” and followed “…a different drummer” particularly when marching with the English team, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the hierarchy of the English Cricket Board (ECB). Pietersen relates his version of events in many stoushes with his colleagues including “The Big Cheese” also known as wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Pietersen refers to a major clique in the Test team as “The Big Cheese” and “the Baby Cheeses” (Stuart Broad and James Anderson) who would make derogatory comments towards and bully other players including a young Joe Root, Monty Panesar and Jonathan Trott if they misfielded or dropped a catch. KP considers that he was always singled out for playing in the Indian Premier League, but on a tour of India in 2013 Prior couldn’t stop talking about his contract in the next Big Bash in Australia. Pietersen believes that the ECB played by two rules - one for him and one for those born in England. His recounting of the “Textgate” affair when he was hauled over the coals for texting friends from the South African team and accused of leaking information to the opposition, highlights this belief. Most books about cricketers include a section at the end about their statistics including their Test, One-Day International and First-class centuries, averages and totals. A player’s Test scorecards and results always make fascinating reading. How they performed against different countries at home and abroad. Unfortunately, none of these statistics are included in this book, as if he considers that his career is not over yet. KP’s autobiography ends almost as it begins - with a forlorn hope that he might one day be recalled to the England team. Pietersen ends his narrative with a very poignant statement, “I’ve changed. People change. Someday my caps might go back into my travel bag and it will all start again. Play it safe, play it safe …ah what the hell. Swing for the rooftops.”

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


VCAUSA CALENDAR

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

Date Activity Notes Saturday, 19 September, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

SINS (New Panel Members only)

Morton Pavilion, Junction Oval

Sunday, 20 September, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

SINS (All Panel Members) Morton Pavilion, Junction Oval

Tuesday, 6 October, 7:00 pm

VCAUSA CoM Glen Waverley Bowls Club

Tuesday, 20 October, 7:00 pm

CV T&D Meeting Morton Pavilion, Junction Oval

Tuesday, 3 November, 12:00 noon

VCAUSA Cup Day BBQ Carlton Cricket Club

Tuesday, 17 November, 7:00 pm

CV T&D Meeting Morton Pavilion, Junction Oval

Tuesday, 15 December, 7:00 pm

CV T&D Meeting (Team Photograph)

Morton Pavilion, Junction Oval

Tuesday, 2 February, 6:30 pm

CV T&D Meeting (NZ Exchange), BBQ

Venue TBA

Tuesday, 8 March, 7:00 pm

CV T&D Meeting (Finals Umpires only)

CV, Jollimont

Saturday, 21 March VCAUSA Finals BBQ Tent Jollimont Oval

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. Glenn also has stocks of the following VCAUSA memorabilia items: Association Ties: $25 Association Caps $15 VCAUSA Socks $1.00 per pair

(Black cotton socks with the VCAUSA logo embroidered in white on each sock). Cream Jumpers $1.00 each

(100% wool with the VCAUA/VCAUSA logo embroidered on the left breast) Chambray Shirts $1.00 each

(100% cotton casual chambray shirts, long sleeved with the VCAUSA logo embroidered on pocket) “Well Aged” Vintage Port $5/bottle

Documents

Law 43 Sept 2015 Issue - VCAUSAvcausa.vic.cricket.com.au/files/15551/files/Law 43 Sept 2015 Issue.pdf · Cricket Victoria (CV) is acknowledged for the printing of hard copies