Views From the Scorebox
MCCA Trophy match at Wargrave CC in May .
In the below image on the left , Carl Kneale , Berkshire CCC First XI Scorer and on the right , Chris Cox , Oxfordshire First XI Scorer . In the background is Bob Woodmansee , an ECB ACO umpire and Wargrave CC committee member , who was scoreboard operator on the day .
The award for the most unusual view from a scorebox to date goes to the ice-cream truck / scorebox at Salle Church Cricket Ground in Norfolk .
Have you seen a more unusual scorebox ? Let us know on the usual address .
A Poem About Umpiring
Oh ! To be an umpire as each season bowls around The jaunty smile , the sparkling eyes The stroll into the ground A boundary check , a look up at the sky ‘ Everyone here ? Let ’ s go then . Local rules apply ’
The coin is tossed , the captains decide Then out to the middle at a steady pace New ball taken , signal to start Fielders all in place An early appeal ‘ Sorry to trouble you , but was that out , LBW ?’
A shake of the head , no finger raised And just a hint of a smile
‘ Playing a stroke , pitched outside leg , and missing the stumps by a country mile !’
Later , a cry for caught behind ‘ Not out and that is time for lunch , gentlemen .’
Into the pavilion for fresh egg rolls
And the village butcher ’ s ham which is followed by quenching hot cups of tea
And a piece of Victoria sandwich .
Play resumes , catches are taken The wickets are broken down Spectators applaud and chat away As the teams change hopefully round
End of the day , wickets removed Scores checked and certified right Handshakes and grumbles , compliments too Then off to the pub for the night
A last lingering look at the cricket field As the sun goes slowly down Oh ! The joys of being an umpire As each game comes around .
Richard Powell
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