...and equally without doubt that situation will never change.
No matter how good a player performs, or the quality of the pitch, or indeed the sense of occasion, it is often the actions of the umpires that will determine not only the outcome of the match, but also how each and every player performs. They are all powerful in a sport that gives them almost total autonomy, albeit the increasing use of technology at the highest level challenges that status and at times undermines their integrity. The irony of the evolvement of the ‘TV Umpire” is that it is not foolproof, and ‘trial by television’ has made even the best of umpires reluctant to make a decision in fear of ridicule and abuse when they get it wrong. It is much easier to pass the buck to the studio, and if you have watched televised test cricket over the past few years then you’ll have already found out that even with the benefit of multiple action replays, some of the so-called studio experts don’t get it right either.
Local cricket doesn’t have the benefit of such technology, but at grassroots there’s no doubting the importance of having competent, impartial and intelligent officials. We all know that when a junior match starts with ‘friendly umpires’ and the instructions often given to team mates to ‘give nothing as they won’t give us anything.” Thereafter the game takes on a different character, sadly not for the better.
The quality of official umpiring in club cricket has improved a lot over the years, and our best performers can now be appointed at matches all over the world. What a tribute to such hard-working doyens like the late Joe Vaughan and the ebullient Paddy O’Hara, who devoted so much of their time and resources to developing their peers. And what a tribute to the umpires themselves, who meet regularly to improve their prowess, and who also have the vision and initiative to look to other elements within the game to liaise with and to align with, for the betterment of the game. Working with the players, the captains, the unions, and with fellow umpires associations, shows that these guys take their duties seriously, and in many instances put a lot more into the game than some senior players.
The umpires will always be in the thick of the action even during the winter. Well done Chairman Noel McCarey in arranging meetings with the captains and in taking on board criticism that some umpires don’t report indiscipline when others do. We need consistency if the problem is to be eradicated, and there’s no point in saying discipline has improved, if incidents are not being reported. The shortage of umpires is another challenge, and if there are thirteen new umpires in the North-West for next season, then let’s find out how they have been recruited. It is a poor reflection on any senior club if it can’t provide at least one official umpire, and that has to be the place to start any recruitment drive from.
It is often said umpires don’t do it for the money but in reality they do, so let’s kill that myth. Unless I’ve been misinformed, all umpires are paid, so we have to seriously look at the amount they are paid to see if that is a factor. If their remuneration doesn’t reflect their importance and status in the game, then it must be increased. If the spinoff is a few more people donning the white coat, then that is a welcome bonus.
All umpires are human and like all players and officials, they make mistakes. We have to live with it and manage any situations that arise.
We are all entitled to our opinions, and of course so are the umpires. On the field of play, it is only their opinions that count, but off it they have a major say on discipline and the quality of wickets. That has obviously annoyed Ballymena’s secretary Carson McCullough because he has criticized some umpires as being ‘dubious’ in his annual report. Carson is an experienced and sound cricket administrator, who is entitled to his opinion. However, once such criticism hits the public domain then it falls under the jurisdiction of the NIACUS, so hopefully Noel McCarey and his committee will investigate the background to this comment, and come up with a solution.
In recent times football has introduced a plethora of “Fair Play,’ and “Respect for Officials’ initiatives, but judging from the actions of the great Thierry Henry and the even greater Sir Alex Ferguson, there are still some individuals who feel they are above the system. This is not the case in any sport, especially cricket, so let’s give the White Coat Brigade total respect and help them to make the game fun for all and totally fair for everyone.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
