CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1929, Page 5

CRICKET.

Rimu cricket team for \natcli against Hokitika on Sunday, February 3rd:— J. Grifliths. S. Ogilvie, L. lmvood, M„ Steplicns, 1?. Wells, E. "Boyd, W. Knowles, E. Stoop, E. Huston, J. O’Connor. Emerg.: J. Gnnvcott and T. Knowles. UMPIRE’S QUEER ACTION. BENDIGO, January JO. 'l’lie Englishmen, in the dosing stages of the match, England v. Bendigo, had nine wickets down for -‘27, and when the last wicket stand was in progress, Jardine, who was 71, mis-hit Rustic bridge to short .leg. Freeman (Bendigo) ran about ten yards to take what appeared a certain catch, but was bumped by the umpire (Pearce), and was unable to get his hands to the ball. The umpire then stepped in a couple of yards and took the catch himself, much fo the astonishment of the players and spectators, particularly Jardine, who seemed perplexed at the incident. Had Freeman been permitted to take the catch it would have been the first time the English eleven had been dismissed twice in one match since its arrival in Australia. The incident was the shbjoet of considerable comment. Chapman characterised the umpire’s action as one of gross import tinence, and said that in the whole ol his cricketing career he had never seen a similar incident. Many old cricketers endorsed this opinion. The umpire’s explanation was that the match was being finished in a picnic spirit, and was to end when the English innings concluded, it having boon decided that Bendigo was not lo hat again. He said that there was about half an hour to go before stumps time, and he thought it was in keeping with the spirit of the occasion to keep the game going a little longer.