UMPIRE LEAVES FIELD

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 4, 26 March 1927, Page 15

UMPIRE LEAVES FIELD

TEST MATCH SENSATION

A REMARK RESENTED (From Our Resident Correspondent WELLINGTON, To-day. The conclusion of the first d ay's play in the second cricket Test was marked by an incident sensational in character, and fortunately unique in the history of New Zealand cricket. The umpire, objecting to a remark by Onyons, after a series of appeals against the light, walked from the field. Play was not resumed.

Shortly after Hendry had been dismissed the shadows of the pavilion fell across the crease and made the visibility very bad for the batsmen, the ball coming from the shadow into the sunlight. Ransford and Onyons were at the wickets, the former facing McGirr. It was obvious that Ransford had great difficulty in sighting the leather, and after failing to connect with one or two deliveries he appealed against the light, but the umpires decided that the match should continue and held to that decision despite an appeal before five consecutive balls.

Onyon's Remark In the meantime the crowd took strong objection to the frequency of the appeals and much hooting was directed to- j ward the* two bats- j men. Just before McGirr’s over concluded, Onyons, see- | ing that Ransford was in difficulties,

turned to Umpire Waddy, and is alleged to have said: “Your decision is very unfair.” Umpire’s Hasty Action Waddy took strong exception to this remark and displayed his ire by throwing the cap he was holding to the ground with a gesture of disgust. Without further ado he walked smartly from the crease, divesting himself of

his white coat while en route to the pavilion, this gesture indicating that he intended taking no further part. Batsmen Hooted Both teams followed Waddy from the field, and this was immediately the signal for an ugly display by the crowd, which flocked in front of the pavilion and vented its wrath by hooting the retiring batsmen and cheering Waddy, in spite of what was considered bad taste and hasty action on the part of Waddy himself. Mr. W. R. Bock, chairman of the Wellington Referees’ Association, after shaking hands with Waddy, put on the discarded white coat and took the field, accompanied by the other umpire. There was a long delay and the crowd waited in expectation of the players again taking the field. This did not eventuate, however, and finally the umpires drew stumps, shortly before 5.30. A Disappointed Crowd The crowd meanwhile showed disappointment at being deprived of nearly an hour’s play. Whether Waddy will again play any part in the match is a point that is yet to be decided. It is understood that Mr. Hugh Trumble, manager of the Melbourne team, is quite willing that Waddy should again umpire. Lowry - (N.Z. captain) expressed a willingness to draw stumps at Ransford’s first appeal. The incihas caused much comment in Wellington and opinion is divided as to the wisdom of Waddy’s action. Cricketers generally are of the opinion that it would have been wiser for Waddy to carry on and report the incident to Warwick Armstrong, captain of the visiting eleven.