Dear Editor,
On Friday I had opportunity to watch an Under-19 match between one of the giant clubs of cricket in Georgetown the DCC and an enthusiastic and obviously talented school team St Stanislaus College at the Malteenoes Cricket ground. As probably expected by most the club won the game. What is significant, however, is the profound effect the quality of umpiring had on the outcome of the game.
While in the field two obvious chances, a brilliant piece of stumping and a leg before appeal were denied the school team by the umpire. This surely impacted on the club’s total score by at least thirty runs. But it is my humble view that the first two decisions against the school decided the outcome of the match.
The first was a run out decision at the non-striker’s end. While all those in the pavilion – mostly DCC supporters and neutrals agreed that the batter was home and dry, they were shocked that the official who was clearly in the wrong position gave the decision to the fielding side. The second which followed almost immediately was an lbw decision that was clearly flawed. There was no doubt that there was an inside edge. Even some of the DCC senior players thought that the decision was ridiculous. It was only the official who did not hear it. There were other poor decisions in the game but by then the die was cast in favour of the club.
The message this kind of behaviour conveys is that officials are willing to show favouritism to the established clubs and that they are willing to disregard ‘minnows’ like school teams without regard for what it does both for the quality of the game and to the psyche of young players.
To the lads of Saints do not let this little
setback prevent you from pursuing your dreams at cricket.
Yours faithfully,
(name and address supplied)
