In these days of cricket-dry season it might help to look at some of these...Sorry,if you have seen already.
Anecdotes from CricketS. Santhanam
Cricket is a funny game. It is full of anecdotes and incidents that can be told several times. It is a game full of uncertainties. The game has undergone so many changes in rules that one has lost count of them. Cricket’s spell over people has become hypnotic. Some contests generate heated arguments and hysterical situations. Television has transformed the culture of cricket. The viewer has become the expert and, in his view, the commentating expert a bore. Pity the umpire in the middle whose mistakes, sometimes caused by the deafening roar of the crowd and the bullying appeals by the players, are shown in action replay as if he is the villain of the piece.
Here are a few interesting incidents that happened on the cricket fields:
UMPIRING: Umpires play a vital part in the game. It is another matter that with the advent of techniques where television replays have come to play a more important part in the game, the roles of the umpires have got considerably reduced. During the 15th century, there used to be only one umpire. Till the 18th century, before the popping crease was introduced, it was necessary to touch the Umpire to record a run. Umpires used to carry sticks or bats to lean on. Also, then, the Umpires were not only respected but addressed with reverence. But now ... Umpires not only get shouts and stares from players, but sometimes even expletives. And, of course, the TVs shown replays after replays of their decisions that only adds to their discomfort.
A LORDLY APPEAL: When an appeal against bad light was turned down, Lord Tennyson called to his partner at the non-striker’s end: “Can you hear me, Newman?”
And the answer was: “Yes, my Lord, I can hear but where are you speaking from?''
THE GREATEST UMPIRE: Frank Chester officiated in more Tests than any other umpire in the olden era. He officiated in 48 Test matches before retiring in 1955. He began his career in 1912 as a cricketer. Chester lost his right arm in the First World War in service in the Middle East. In 1922, he became a first-class umpire and in more than 30 years built up a reputation as a great umpire. He officiated in more than 1,000 first-class matches.
THE WRONG NICK: There used to be a wicketkeeper in one of the local teams who was famous for his vociferous and indiscriminate claiming. Once, it so happened, that he himself as the non-striker led a strong appeal on a close decision. The umpire raised his finger without the least hesitation. When the batsman given out returned to the dressing room, he was asked if he really nicked the ball, the ousted player replied: “Why will the umpire have any doubt when my own partner leads the appeal?”
TERMITES IN CRICKET: During a cricket match in India in 1949, the stumps were left out overnight. They were immediately attacked by termites which ate away the inside and left thin shells of wood covering the hollows they had made. When the game was resumed the next day, the stumps looked perfectly normal. But the first ball shattered the stumps at one end into tiny fragments. As there were no more stumps available the match had to be abandoned.
THE FEAT OF ARTHUR MORRIS: A. R. Morris of Australia played 100 consecutive first-class innings without failing to score. He made his first “duck” in his 101st innings in the first Test of the 1949-50 series against South Africa.
A TRUMAN BOUNCER: Once at a party at Aden, England’s fast bowler Fred Truman was introduced to the local Sheikh. Introducing the Sheikh, the host said: “He’s got a hundred and ninety six wives.”
“Has he?” asked Truman. “Does he know that with another four he could have a new ball?”
TRUMAN BOWLS A COP: When Fred Truman was once caught for car speeding the policeman said: “Aren’t you Truman, the cricketer?”
Fred nodded, and the officer added: “Well, you were driving as fast as you bowl.”
“No I weren’t,” replied the England bowler. “That wouldn’t have caught me if I had.”
FIRST RUNNING COMMENTARY: The first running commentary of a cricket match, to be broadcast on radio, was during the Essex vs. New Zealand game at Leyton in 1927. This commentary was made by the Rev. F. H. Gillingham. The first Test match to be broadcast was England vs. Australia at Nottingham in 1930.
BETTING IN THE PAST: Cricket in the 18th and early 19th centuries was the object of much wagering, and at one period this grew to such proportions that it brought the game into disrepute. It was not uncommon for fighting to break out at cricket matches among the betting fraternity. The Gentleman’s Magazine then wrote: “It is a notorious and shameless breach of the laws, as it gives the most open encouragement to gambling.”
Well, how some things never change in the game. Despite the ICC ruling that betting have stopped, there is still a feeling among the millions of cricket followers that betting still exists, especially when their favourite team loses.
OLDEST PLAYERS: The oldest player in Test cricket between England and Australia was Dr. W. G. Grace who captained England at Nottingham in June
1899 when he was one month short of his 51st birthday.India’s Col. C. K. Nayudu was 62 when he made his last appearance in first-class cricket in 1958.
When Raja Maharaj Singh captained Bombay Governor’s XI against Commonwealth team in November 1950 at Bombay,
he was 72.http://www.dayafterindia.com/aug106/sports.html
AuthorTopic: Cricket : Some good old stories (Read 592 times)
November 27, 2006, 07:41:50 PM