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Dr K.S. Gupta
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CRICKETING MATTERS
While going through Nigel Henderson’s book titled The Worst of Cricket, the description on Lou Rowan, the Australian umpire who stood with T.F.Brooks, his compatriot in the first Test match at Brisbane in the Ashes series between England and Australia in 1970 was alluring.
Australia was marshalled by William Morris Lawry. England’s captain was Ray Illingworth. Torrence James Jenner, Rodney William Marsh and Alan Llioyd Thomson were making their test debuts for Australia, while Brian Willams Luckhurst and Kenneth Shuttleworth were making their first Test appearance.The other notable variation from current cricket was the use of overs which had 8 balls.
Australia, having won the toss, selected to bat. It must be remembered that Inran Khan’s concerted campaign to have neutral umpires for all matches-ODIs and Tests – had not yet come to fruition when the Wolloongabba match took off on 27th December 1970. In the first innings, Australia scored 433 in 115.3 overs. Australia’s total was attributed to the change of event brought by Lou Rowan, the bowler’s end umpire at that point of time when he, in a state of mind that was most idiosyncratic, ruled Keith Stackpole not out when it was clear that the Australian was distinctly out of his ground. Lou Rowan was a former policeman who later on during the tour had verbal altercations with John Snow, England’s fast bowler.
Stackpole, one of Australia’s stocky and accomplished batsmen, pushed a ball towards Geoff Boycott in the covers. It appeared to be a safe single. But the Yorkshireman pounced on the ball and threw down the stamps at the bowler’s end. There was a chorused appeal which Rowan turned down in favour of Stackpole. The batsman clearly had a reprieve. He was, like most Australians, not going to walk in spite of knowing that he was out. Stackpole went on to pile up 207 runs.
A local photographer coincidentally with his ‘sharp shutter’ snapped the bat of Stackpole and his body that fell short by a foot. The picture was splashed across the newspapers by the evening all over Australia. It gave credence to the fact that Rowan had not erred, he had intentionally given a decision in favour of Australia as a Australian - an unpardonable felony.
Incidentally, Stackpole was on 18 when Rowan had ‘absolved’ him.In the same innings KD Walters scored 112 and Ian Chappell 59. John Snow bowled 32.3 overs 6 of which were maidens. He conceded 116 runs and reaped 6 wickets. England in reply totalled 464 in 146.5 overs, with Luckhurst, Knott, Edrich and B.L.D’Oliveira chipping in 74,73,79 and 57 respectively.In the second innings Australia compiled 214. Lawyr made 84. Shuttleworth’s bowling analyisis read: 17.5 -2-47-5, a magnificent bowling effort for a debutant. England chasing 184 made 39 for 1.
This Test was played on 27, 28, 29 November. 30th November was a rest day. The match continued on December 1st and 2nd, 1970.
These days’ Test matches run for five days without any rest day any more. From the recent statistics compiled the average duration of time taken for a Test match is four days. Test matches with the influence of ODI’s and T20s, have cricketers with slam bang mind –set. The 1970 Australia – England Test series was won 2-0 by England. There were four drab draws. It is quite probable that all Tests played today for the Ashes series will be result-oriented with little scope for draws.
Meanwhile, Indian cricket team in Australia tour is having a precarious time on the fast Australian wickets with Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus consistently ripping through the defence of India’s best batsman. Dr Gupta is a former international cricket umpire engaged in private dental practice. Email:
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