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Lots of bleating in the media and closer to home on a leading cricket writer's social media account about "that" run out. "Spirit of cricket" being bandied about by those who didn't see anything wrong when Mr. Broad "cheated" by not walking. Funny how things change!! Perhaps Mr. Bushe should read Law 42 (8) before advocating retalitory action.

any club looking to sign a Late replacement PLAYER/ COACH or CLUB COACH? 34 year old Level 3 coach available. thank you

That's good to hear Andy as Ballygomartin Road is still one of the great Belfast cricket venues and no cricket CV would be complete without playing there. Really good to hear positive things as too often our cricket Forums highlight negatives when so many good things are happening at the same time.
Good things are news too!
Just like the return of the UC website.
Apologizes to everyone for our sabbatical.

I know that there will be some who will scoff at this but it was a delight to see old fashioned standards being observed at Woodvale on Sunday where the home side waited until the visitors had partaken of the buffet. A lot of guys could learn from this. I have commented on the excellent catering at Lisburn but the ladies at Ballygomartin Road are definitely up there. There has been a considerable amount of work done around the ground during the close season with the new fencing and the benches round the boundary. Looking really well - pity CR couldn't figure out the new scoreboard!!!

I've noted over the last couple of matches I was involved in as a player, a little ambiguity still prevalent within the lower junior leagues over the age old chestnut, when to call 'no-ball' of a slow bowler if the batsman receives a deliver on the full which is either..

1/ Waste height or above or
2/ Shoulder height or above,

Here is the current ruling :

Slow Bowler:

No ball when high full toss above shoulder height

Fast Bowler:

No ball above waist height and a warning.

I appreciate that some bowlers can and do bowl quite quickly of a short run up and others push the ball through at a more mediocre pace of a longer run up but if you find yourself officiating and are called upon to make a decision accordingly, use where the wicket/keeper is standing to receive the ball as a guide!

Many thanks and I hope this helps clear up any uncertainy for those unsure!

All's well that ends well.
We understand Pat Fisher has received his Irish passport.
Matter closed.
Good luck for the rest of the season Patrick.

Many thanks to Clarence on his article on Alfie Linehan. A true gentleman of the sport who has always had time for anyone, young or old. Always with Mary by his side.
I remember in 1991 when the Linehans and their good friends Cecil and Sylvia Walker were in Sydney for an Ashes Test and got to meet the legendary English fast bowler Harold Larwood at his home. Cecil that evening bought dinner for everybody as he said that he never thought he would meet his childhood hero. Harold recounted stories from "Bodyline" and his treatment by the English selectors after that tour as well as showing them the ashtray given to him by England Captain Douglas Jardine. Great memories for all!

You got that right Billy! World wars were fought on the principle of free speech and democracy, so allowing everyone a soapbox on the forum isn't asking too much.
Have to say I wasn't aware that some clubs don't allow their members to post on websites. If that's true it doesn't say much for the people who blindly accept such a dictatorial directive. I think clubs, committees, unions and individuals should use the forum as an honest platform for communication, debate and discussion. What tends to damage the medium is the personal stuff which we have tried to eliminate as much as possible without censoring an honest opinion. Unfortunately some people don't want to use their own name because some readers dwell too much on the messenger and not the message. I've always admired the person who says what they think and puts their name to it.

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY CRICKET CLUB – REUNION DINNER

Did you play cricket at Queen’s in the years up to 1974 when the club was in the top Section of the NCU Senior League? If so, then the ‘Big Reunion’ is for you! Taking place on Friday 20th June at 7.30pm in the Canada Room in Queen’s main Lanyon Building, it promises to be an unforgettable evening of memories, friendship and the chance to catch up with former team-mates with whom you may have lost touch. If you are interested, event organisers Tim English englishtim40@yahoo.co.uk or Murray Power emp@murraypower.plus.com would love to hear from you by email.

Andy - to paraphrase Voltaire - I might not like what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it, besides if you and a couple of other old faithfulls stop posting, Clarence might as well shut the forum down!

I would remind Mr. Ramsey that the said player had already played in the NCU Premier League for CSNI in previous seasons - hardly someone who doesn't know one end of a bat from another. Further, the level at which I umpire has no bearing on my right to express PERSONAL views. I am also aware that some clubs have placed an embargo on any of their members commenting on this or the CI forum. Are you suggesting that there is no right of free speech? Further, I don't believe there is such an entity as a "Premier umpire". We go to whereever our extremely hard-working appointments secretary sends us. I'm due to be at Saintfield & Cliftonville this weekend - neither of whom were in the Premier league the last time I looked! But what has that to do with my right to comment? As I stated in my earlier post I thought that I had seen an anomaly in the action of the NCU and I commented accordingly. I am now aware that the Newsletter report contained inaccuracies that I'm sure will be corrected but I'll not hold my breath.

Re Andy Kennedy

What part of the following NCU Registration Guidance does Mr Fisher qualify for Ireland under?

(i)demonstatrate (by possession of Irish passport)that they are an Irish National
(ii)were born in Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland
(iii)have resided in Ireland for a minimum of 183 days in each of the immediately preceding four years

NCU are correct so end of story - perhaps Muckamore should have done more homework into their winter signings instead of just taking anyone who could hold a cricket bat and claimed to be Irish.

As for you you are a Premier League umpire so you shouldnt be commenting on this or any other topic on this forum.

MEA CULPA. My earlier posting was based on the information as published in the Newsletter and I was querying how the situation had changed that action appeared to be taken so arbitrarily. I am not on the "inside track" of decision-making at Muckamore. I have since been appraised of ALL the facts and I accept that the story in the Newsletter did not give a proper perspective of the events. As I said earlier "mea culpa"

Andy if Ossie said that he wasn't living in the real world. It's a bit like a suggestion someone made to me a few years ago to tear up the rule book and let the captains play their own games.
Can you imagine the chaos?
I see Neale has made a balanced reply but perhaps the NCU should make an official statement as I suspect all the facts have not been released.

Re: Andy Kennedy
I'm amazed that an Umpire of your standing can take such casual regards to Rules and Regulations.
I fear you have extended the premise 'If in the opinion of the umpire....' beyond its usual boundary and are now applying it as you see fit.

I give you credit for suggesting you understand the current registration situation with Muckamore has something to do with the player previously being considered a 'local player'.
I understand this is indeed the case, him being here in the past I believe as a teacher and not a cricketer.
Regarding the NCU Rules, Ossie and yourself choose to ignore that most Rules have been brought in to stop 'sharp practice' by Clubs and a read while waiting for the rain to stop would benefit most of us.

An Infant-teacher friend once told me how she challenged a pupil who had an 'accident' as to how this had happened:
"It wasn't me Miss, a bad boy did it in my trousers and ran away!"
Probably as believable in most circumstances as, "It's in the post!"