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Yes indeed Taito, though perhaps if Graham's original post had highlighted that particular fact, I would'nt have felt the need to come on and spout rule 34 ?

Umpires don't have the benefit of 'Google' at hand when required to make an instantaneous decision !

And glad to hear the matter has been amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned !

interesting to note that the post that attracts the most responses is about an umpiring decision. It's easy to point the finger but perhaps if players acquainted themselves of the Laws and Competition regulations things might be easier. The number of guys who appeared to be unaware of the Power Play regulations - the numbers of fielders to be out, etc. and the 'shoulder height' limit is incredible. And I'm not just talking about players as some captains are not clued in.

midweek match at newforge 2 weeks ago big appeal for lbw whole team goes up the ball shoots off behind keeper on legside umpire says not out ok fair enough maybe it was missing leg stump next thing umpire signals wide ball to the scorers to the total bemusement of the bowler the umpire explained it went wide of the stumps so therefore its a wide case closed lol

Caleb,

Maybe knowing the facts might help before spouting rules, the player was protecting his wicket hence why he wasn't out and should not have been given out. that rule was exactly what our player was showing the umpire. Sense prevailed

Laws

Following posts re poor decisions based on lack of knowledge of the laws, the NCU is currently trying to organise 3 "Welcome to the Laws" evenings aimed at parents/players/coaches/fans etc who might enjoy a better understanding of the game we love.

Waringstown, Saintfield and Carricfergus are likely to host for their respective areas and all 4 umpire tutors have agreed to help out. Callum Atkinson our CDO is organising and I hope we can give firm dates and times soon.

It's a great game - even greater with a better understanding of the laws!

Law 34 (Hit the ball twice)

1. Out Hit the ball twice

(a) The striker is out Hit the ball twice if, while the ball is in play, it strikes any part of his person or is struck by his bat and, before the ball has been touched by a fielder, he wilfully strikes it again with his bat or person, other than a hand not holding the bat, except for the sole purpose of guarding his wicket. See 3 below and Laws 33 (Handled the ball) and 37 (Obstructing the field).
(b) For the purpose of this Law, 'struck' or 'strike' shall include contact with the person of the striker.

Have the rules been amended since last Saturday ?

A light-hearted one to make you chuckle!

Junior 9 match last season.
Batsman clearly snicks one to keeper-Big appeal, bowler doesn't even look around to see whether the finger is raised as bat nowhere near the ground or body.
Umpire raises the finger without hesitation. However the batsman in this case does refuse to leave the pitch!
Umpire crosses his arms on his chest, calling for a "Review". When questioned which video footage he would be referring to, he decides to confer with the facing batsman (who happens to be his captain)
On the Umpire's return to the bowling crease, he signals to reverse his decision.
Not out!
Absolute comedy-clearly all J9 fixtures should have video review facility ;)
Are some cricketers watching too much TV?

Folks, my apologies if my post gave an impression that was not intended.
Concerning my use of 'refused to leave the pitch': When given out the batsman is required to leave the pitch promptly and without comment or gesture of disagreement with the decision given.
No matter what view you take that clearly did not happen!

However, not for one minute am I suggesting or encouraging a charge to be laid against the batsman.

The last line of my post was, I thought, suggesting that perhaps the embarrassment felt by the umpires, if indeed they do feel any, would stop them taking the action they would take any other week and rightly so.

Whether they do or not, they will still collect their fee for a job well done.

In reply to Graham's post about the batsman "refusing to leave the pitch" - my understanding is that he initially argues his case that in fact the umpires had made an error but to say he refused to leave the pitch is untrue. The fact that a teammate was quick enough to produce a factual information to back his claim in credit to both plates of their superior understanding of the rules. I feel the tone of your post is to encourage umpires to take disciplinary action for what was essentially an error on their part.

Graham,

You would think that the worrying thing here is the lack of knowledge of the laws not any potential disciplinary action taken against the player. So if he has been given out incorrectly not due to a perceived poor decision but due to the umpire not knowing the laws then of course he is going to fight his own corner. I think the umpires can decide if any action is required themselves without you trying to suggest they should.

Millpark Cricket Club.
Just completed very enjoyable league game. Cooke. Collegians v Millpark.
Surely the friendliest, most sporting and most hospitable club in the NCU.
My favourite fixture in the season.
Billy Dale.

Is it time to consider the scheduling of the season for the cups, especially in the case of Junior/Intermediate/Minor etc? In the Junior Cup we saw Ards and Dungannon first teams conceded games.

Academy and Ballymena 4s conceded in the 1st round of the Minor Cup, Ards 2s in the second round. There were 3 more walkovers in the opening 2 rounds of the Minor Qualifying Cup. In the Ulster Plate at the weekend 2 of the 8 games were decided by walkover.

While the leagues are the bread and butter the cups are more prestigious. The demands on players are more than ever, especially in May and June and teams, including 1st XIs who rely on our good and improving junior players are suffering due to clashes with exams and/or school cricket. Can we move the opening rounds back by 2 or 3 weeks, for example and have the finals held later in August? Many clubs are coming into June and are already left with only league games to play having had to field weakened sides or concede games.

Did you hear the one about the batsman who was saved by a 'Google'?
Great story coming out of Bangor at the weekend when a batsman was given out 'hit the ball twice' and refused to leave the pitch.
In normal circumstances this would result in a disciplinary hearing and possible ban.
However it transpires that the batsman was the only player or official on the field who knew the laws, not that that saved him!
He was indeed eventually ordered off. As he finally left the field he was passed by a member of his side who ran on waving a mobile phone and showed the umpires the error of their ways.
The batsman is recalled and goes on to win the game for his side!
All's well that ends well I hear you say, well maybe.
I wonder if the umpires will pursue the disciplinary charge?

The late John Caldwell
There will be a memorial service for John Calwell in West Church, Ballymena, at 2pm, on Wednesday (June 8) with refreshments afterwards at Eaton Park.

I had the pleasure of watching the final 10 overs of ci v inst at Belmont on Saturday evening. A superb advert for the local game. A thrilling finish was enjoyed by a large crowd. The balcony was full and what a great spot to witness a tense finish. It's a shame there had to be a losing side. Needless to say I will definitely be back at Belmont.