Beyond the Boundary
Wow! What a start to November that was; the Saturday 5th fireworks here have just been eclipsed by the staggering pyrotechnics in the USA on Tuesday 8th!
Suddenly – we now all understand if we didn ' t with Brexit – that what we regarded as‘ normal’ ain ' t going to be that way again, anywhere, for the forseeable future. So why should cricket be any different? Firstly, I hope you won’ t mind me turning back a few pages so to speak... it is just that as this was my last on-field season, there were elements that I noticed more.
With the topic of the moment being‘ abuse’, I ought to say that my reason for early retirement is not just that I am 74( and feel I ought to make a space for a new guy) because I am fit, mobile, and still playing. But I am very conscious of what Nick and the team now headline as‘ Safe and Best’. Very heavy bats and fast hands mean the balls are coming back to us bowler’ s end blokes at speeds that not even the non-striking batsmen can cope with, and I do not wish to count the balls by thinking each time...‘ that one didn’ t hit me’. Sensibly and logically, we cannot cope with the exponential increase in this off-bat violence. Bruce Oxenford’ s plastic arm‘ shield’ might work if he can lift it to his face in the one-second window he would have. Alternatively, we could wear‘ lids’, but the first trial in January ' s Australian‘ Big Bash’ proved nothing and resolved little. And all the while, the MCC( with the ICC?) search for a formulaic restriction on overall bat depth which might be feasible. Until then, frankly, we are all at risk.
Just as noticeable were colleagues from other counties –‘ strangers’ is not a friendly word, but because we so rarely meet or stand with those from outside our own county, they become more interesting by their anonymity – and so I felt a delight that all at least had the‘ familiar’ look wearing our uniform. And that prompted the thought of how good it would be to see all ECB umpires with the ACO logo on their kit. Their ECB contracts now include references to us anyway, so why not have them wear the emblem of it? What a triumphal moment that would be for us.
Then we come to‘ abuse’. This topic will be highlighted elsewhere in this issue after Nick’ s exemplary definitions on his extensive interview on Radio 5 Live. The report centred on a study by Portsmouth University, which highlighted a‘ 46 % ready to throw in the towel’ interview analysis. This was added to and evidenced by a Derbyshire League official. Now, bearing in mind we have all heard sledges / abuse banded around to batsmen and umpires, I would not be the only one who queries that this really does have a link with the quality of the umpire – which, all the while – will come back to expertise / management / uniform. And though all ACO trained umpires will make a mistake and be subjected to the victim’ s venom, I do question that if at that instant of outcry they suddenly had Richard Kettleborough or Nigel Llong standing there, would they continue their abuse? Of course not. Which would absolutely underscore the truth that training / management / uniform are our holy trinity.
We must continue on our mission of total membership, training and refreshing, and the spirit of‘ belonging’.
Pierre Tartari
Membership Renewals 2017
It’ s that time of the year again to renew your membership.
If you pay by direct debit then you have nothing to do, as we will take the payment on 23 January 2017 and send you confirmation in mid-February.
If you pay by cheque or credit card, we have just sent you a reminder with all the details of what you need to do to renew your membership. Don’ t forget, if you want to pay by direct debit( UK bank accounts only), it’ s not too late- and you save money as well!
The main stumbling block to renewal is that a member’ s Disclosure and Barring Service check( DBS) – formerly known as Criminal Records Bureau( CRB) – is out of date.
Your DBS is valid for three years, so please check that yours hasn’ t expired!
ECB have produced a 10-step guide on how to get a DBS – see the reverse of the address sheet that accompanied the mailing.
Please note that Membership Services are unable to answer any queries about the progress of any DBS application. Please contact GBG( formerly TMG) on 0845 251 3000 if you have any questions about your application.
If you want to discuss the renewal of your membership, please contact Membership Services by email at ecb. aco @ ecb. co. uk or by phone on 0121 446 2710.
On behalf of Karen and myself, we would like to wish all our members a Merry Christmas and a happy officiating new year!
Martin Gentle Membership Services Manager
4 email us at ecb. aco @ ecb. co. uk contact us on 0121 446 2710