Association of Cricket Officials Issue 32 | Page 10

By the Byes Hybrid Pitches Lord’s became the latest ground to install a hybrid pitch into the square near the Grandstand. The Home of Cricket has followed other sports such as rugby union and football (Loughborough, Worcester and Edgbaston too) in a bid to deal with the growing demand for available pitches. Artificial grass strands are inserted with natural grass sewn in between. The Young Officials were lucky enough to umpire the first match ever played on the wicket during this year’s MCC Corporate Day (see page 21). The Young Officials recently had the chance to stand for the first game being played on a hybrid pitch at Lord’s (far right). The pitch is about 90% grass and England bowlers reported a little extra pace and bounce than normal, when they practised on one at Edgbaston late last year. Keeping the Coin The ICC recently decided not to remove the toss in Test cricket, with the World Test Championship looming. In 2016, the ECB removed the mandatory toss in County Championship matches, with the visiting captain being given the option of bowling first or having the toss as normal. The new competition is set to start next summer with the Ashes. How do you think this would impact the cricket in which you officiate? Daniel Bell-Drummond and Ryan ten Doeschate toss on the start of day one of the MCC Champion County Match. Tosses have been removed from the County Championship, although not in Test cricket. International Debut for Wharf After being elevated to the ICC International Umpire Panel, Alex Wharf stood in his first IT20, alongside fellow Englishman Rob Bailey, as the West Indies took on ICC Rest of World XI at Lord’s. In a special game to raise money for the restoration of cricket grounds in the Caribbean damaged by last year’s hurricanes, the West Indies ran away, winning by 72 runs. Led by Chris Gayle, they posted a formidable 199/4 and had the RoW 8/4, before comfortably winning. Alex went on to make his ODI debut shortly after in the second match of the series between England and Australia, in which a Jason Roy first innings 100 proved too much for the visitors’ chase. Well done Alex and all the best for your future international career! Alex Wharf shakes hands with South Africa’s Maris Erasmus before taking the field for his first ODI in Cardiff. 10 The West Indies pose for a photo together with their opponents the Rest of World XI before the charity match at Lord’s. email us at [email protected] contact us on 0121 446 2710