Middle Australia analyses the various questions involved in the controversial Snicko decision which favoured Australians Alex Carey on Day 1 of the Third Test.
Almanac Cricket (Umpires): Mel Johnson – standing behind
February 12, 2025 by 8 Comments
Matt Watson recently caught up with former Test umpire Mel Johnson. What emerged was a tale of honesty, humility and admiration. (This is a corker! – Ed.)
Almanac Cricket: Muschy – the left-handed adjudicator
January 30, 2023 by 4 Comments
In his enlightening article about the life and times of a cricket umpire, Matt Watson pays tribute to Queenslander Lawrie Musch, a dedicated and popular former member of the umpiring fraternity.
Almanac Cricket: ‘Why does he need a runner?’
January 13, 2022 by 6 Comments
Cricket Umpire John Gascoigne relates the story of courage and resilience of Karthik Balachandar who overcame horrific injuries to continue his cricketing career.
Almanac Cricket: Joy in the Juniors
January 11, 2021 by 2 Comments
With observations finely honed and borne of years of umpiring experience, John Gascoigne knows a bit about cricket. This week he’s learned just a bit more thanks to the bat and ball exploits of twin sisters in the Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union’s annual carnival.
Almanac Cricket: Behind the wickets – an umpire’s view
November 24, 2020 by 1 Comment
Like cricketers, umpires also need practice as John Gascoigne recalls a recent intra-club practice match polishing up his umpiring skills.
Almanac Cricket: Kew v Power House – The Spirit of Cricket
November 17, 2020 by 3 Comments
Phil Hill loves his cricket having played and umpired in the Mercantile Cricket Association all his adult life. And, the spirit of the game is well and truly alive as he recounts the goodwill displayed between teams in a recent game he umpired.
Helmets and Parachutes
December 9, 2019 by Leave a Comment
High pressure hoses, parachutes & helmets, and the laws of cricket. What does it all mean? Phil Hill explains.
Almanac Cricket – Free Beer and Law 42
November 26, 2019 by 6 Comments
Phil Hill is a cricket umpire who loves the game however there’s one thing that really riles him, and that’s the Laws of Cricket, or at least, some of them. Find out why.
Almanac (Local ) Cricket – Don’t Annoy Me About ‘Chuckers’
November 3, 2019 by 4 Comments
Phil Hill talks us through ‘visual summation’ and ‘the carry angle of the human arm’ as he seeks to solve the issue of so-called ‘chuckers’ out in the Merks.
Almanac (Local) Cricket: New Blokes
October 27, 2019 by 3 Comments
Phil Hill believes in the rule of law, and expects cricket umpires to have knowledge of the law. He loves when a new young umpire shows he knows the rules. Even on the very rare occasion that he doesn’t.
Preseason musings in the Merks
October 7, 2019 by Leave a Comment
It briefly enters the public consciousness after an incident of great notice, but Phil Hill has been mulling over general rule changes in sports, with a few examples. [Could throw rugby league into the mix after recent events – Ed.]
Ball tampering in the Merks
October 3, 2019 by 2 Comments
‘It is an offence for any player to take any action which changes the condition of the ball.’ Rule 41.3.2. Phil Hill contemplates an umpire’s dilemma when the ball ends up in the poo. (Highly amusing – Ed.)
Almanac Cricket: Ducks, bees and the whole damn thing
November 23, 2018 by 2 Comments
Umpire John Gascoigne starts the summer with a new employer, but cricket’s charm remains.
Winter Cricket: Diplomacy wins the day
July 20, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Umpire John Gascoigne reports on Melbourne’s cricket scene as players squish their way towards winter finals.
Blind, Deaf and Clueless: The Mandibular Block and Park Cricket Finals
March 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Dr Hill imparts some wisdom on the application of local anaesthetic and how to deal with a moist pitch
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