Forum

During the autumn of last year while convalescing from an operation, I made out a series of notes on the state of out game, as I see it. It was intended to put these onto the forum, but eventually I decided not to bother. However, I have had second thoughts, or should that be third thoughts?

The reason for this change of heart is partly due to the recent Umpires' Roadshow at Templepatrick, which, like all of the others was very poorly attended. There were no representatives from those great bastions of the game, Carrick and Muckamore. There were representatives from the three Section 1 clubs in this area, Academy, Cliftonville and Woodvale, and there were no representatives for the other Sections 2 and 3 clubs inn this area either. The only people there were the NCU President, the umpires and a few members from my own club. I may as well add that we had a very nice supper ready for 20 to 25 people.

The second reason for this change of mind concerns our 4ths home fixture with Lisburn 4ths on Saturday past. This was one of those rare occasions when we were able to provide a grass wicket on our main ground for our 4ths. There were some talented young players on both sides together with a few adults, which is the perfect mix for developing young players. But on a nice sunny and on a good grass wicket this match was reduced to just 20 overs. It is appreciated that a longer match could have been played, but the fact that 4th team fixtures can be reduced to 20 overs is the main problem.

With regard to the actual game, only about half of the players got the opportunity to bat, and for some of them it was very little. For only about 6 or 7 players was there any meaningful cricket. This game was a complete waste of time for the other players. So a nonsensical question: how can we hope to get young players to play cricket and stay in the game, if for whatever the reason, the cricket is not there for them to play in the first place?

It seems to me that there is the most appalling apathy within the game at present and we should all be concerned. The very radical changes that have been introduced in recent years have been far too radical in my opinion, and have changed the whole culture of the game, together with the mindset of the cricketers.

So the first of my notes, for what they are worth, and I have no pretensions whatsoever, will appear shortly if I am allowed back onto this forum. It is hoped that they will generate some constructive discussion.

They are presented exactly as they were written during the autumn of last year.

Ed. As they say up round here 'it's like a man pushing a wheelbarrow - it's always in front of you'! Or the bit that was left out of the Beatitudes 'blessed is he that expecteth nothing - he will never be disappointed.'

Andy I agree umpires should get free kit and more money but I'm talking about the junior leagues from junior 2 and below the amount of cheating to win is a joke blatant cheating and when you ask why the lbw was not out same repeated answer going down leg as captains have been heard saying to their players give no decisions as I said before some games will get very heated and ugly

So the debate about umpires starts again. Irish hockey took somewhat draconian steps to resolve the problem of lack of umpires. I can hear the howls of horror if such was introduced in cricket. Interesting that in NIACUS the guys have to pay for their gear. More interesting that everybody who appears to be involved in the Northern Knights at all levels from coaches to under-age teams has the kit. I know it won't attract more umpires but perhaps a bit of free kit would show perhaps the 'regard' in which umpires are held. Is this one for Cricket Ireland to take on board or perhaps the budget doesn't stretch THAT far?

jonathan played at weekend and again ill feeling at lbws as umpires don't give best bats out when it gets tight then everything is wided I can see some games getting ugly

Did Cliftonville 2nds concede their match v Cregagh yesterday because they couldn't get a team ? Its listed as "walkover" on the NCU website..........

I'm sure its difficult if not impossible go get new recruits at Mallusk so, with admiration for the Cliftonville stalwarts who have stuck it out for so long, I hope it wasn't a lack of players and was some other reason. Hope you get back to Greenisland soon because no one wants to play at Mallusk unless they're crazy.

Was at Malone RFC yesterday and wanted to pop over for a look

Watched muckamore v ci match at muckamore ground.what a win for home side. Never expected that against best side in NCU .I think muckamore will stay up this season.

Umpiring
Umpiring at any level is a daunting prospect for anyone. Having watched umpires at all levels of the game I have great respect for those who go out and seek to manage the game and apply the laws where necessary. The Premier league provided me with many good moments but the behaviour of everyone including fine leg appealing for a LBW or catch behind is sometime beyond the pale.
Players need to really catch themselves on. Our experienced umpires such as Alan Neill and Mark Hawthorne are not going to be intimidated but a someone new on the scene should not be fooled by players seeking a decision.
A scorer friend of mine once said that a good umpire was someone who went unnoticed during a game and perhaps this is true but as we strive to recruit more umpires, players need to act their age and behave like adults.
I can sympathise with those who umpire at lower leagues as sometimes the decision against you by a fellow player can create a bad atmosphere in the changing room afterwards but it is up to captains to ensure that those who go out have a reasonable knowledge of laws and how to play the game. The LBW law is such a contentious one but common sense needs to be applied.
So respect the Umpire and trust him do not forsake him and believe in the decisions that are taken. We are only human and mistakes to happen and put yourself in their position.

Sometimes against the odds it gives us a lot of pleasure in cricket.
With 25 years of mediocre test cricket the West Indies routed Pakistan for 81 to win the most unexpected victory yesterday. It won't restore former glory immediately, but it offers hope for better fortune.
Ireland are set to face England this weekend with a hope and a prayer.
The odds are stacked against them, but it has happened before?
Good luck Ireland!

RE Mark and higher scores.....
Mark I think that the driest April since 1981 (think I heard that on Radio Ulster) has really supported the groundsmen in their efforts. I know that Middle Rd (Carrick) had a good deck (and dry and hard square) first game of the season and also note the other match scores which seemed to favour the bat!

PS what a knock by Ryan Smyth from Downpatrick (I've seen him playing and he is one of a few talented younger batsmen at DCC). Hoping he kicks on and gets some good coaching / Pro support - that's another debate entirely though!!!

Re Coobs - I only ever guys a bollocking for getting out in stupid ways which you of course never did! This has been discussed over many, many years and there is no answer to stamping it out. It is not confined to cricket. One only has to attend under-age group rugby football & soccer games to see the behaviour of some so-called adults. There is a brilliant poster produced by Bath Rugby Club, a copy of which is displayed on the board at Ballyclare RFC/Templepatrick CC, which should be required reading for everyone involved in sport. As I say, it's not confined to cricket but let's call it by what it is - cheating.

Re junior league umpiring:

Instead of a stonewall, no quarter given attitude, why not make life much simpler and more enjoyable for all and before the toss, captains converse and agree on what's wide and what's not?

Teams will find this really helps the overall flow of the game and cuts out a lot of this unnecessary 'bad blood' by setting a positive precedent and good example to the younger players especially, including those that chose to take their turn and stand out in the middle.

For example, if it's down the leg side then call it wide, no exceptions, likewise, nearly all wickets, including artificial, now have guide lines to help the budding umpire if he/she should see a ball pitch and pass outside the tramline, wide again to be singled and no need for controversy or any silly backchat!

I think what folk must bear in mind is that although leagues 1 to 8 are classified as junior, this by no means implies that it is exclusive to only junior or minor players, indeed, all age groups are to be found here and not to call wides etc. doesn't help the younger up and coming bowlers of tomorrow with their direction and technique!

Colin has hit the nail on the head with his latest post especially regarding adults encouraging this nonsense.

Remember back when I was playing for Ballymena 3s and our captain (wasn't you Andy!) gave one of our young lads (think he was around 14/15 at the time) an almighty bollocking after the game because he had given him out LBW. Always stuck in my mind because after that I refused to umpire and would score instead.

What's equally disappointing is to hear that bickering/verbal diarrhea has crept into the game in N.I. - can always remember playing junior cricket never coming across it as a youngster. It's unfortunately pretty standard in cricket in Essex; you only have to go to the various league disciplinary pages and you'll see at least one person pop up week by week. Sign of the time......

I always walk when I hit the ball but that didn't stop me being subjected to a torrent of abuse from the wicket-keeper in a game (2nd XI) a few seasons ago when the ball flicked my pad on the way through to his gloves. I explained that it was pad not bat but that was met with more abuse. The wicket-keeper then officiated (i.e. umpired) at our 1st XI's match the next week and before the start of the game informed our skipper that he wouldn't be getting any decisions that day! With unofficial umpires the default position is always that there is cheating going on even when there isn't. Square leg fielders appeal for LBWs, mid-on for stumpings and deep mid wicket for caught behind. Add in the ignorance of the rules and it's a recipe for ill feeling.

Changing the topic here but I noticed the first week produced some big individual efforts with the bat - do you think the batting has got better , the bowling poorer or maybe the pitches are better - opinions ?