Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

With the news of Andres Strauss stepping down from not just the England captaincy, but retiring from all forms of cricket, the biggest cricketing story of the week was missed: the dismissal of Somerset’s Alex Barrow.

In the County Championship game between Somerset and Surrey Alex was run out by Murali (turncoat) Kartik while backing-up. Surrey skipper Gareth Barry declined the opportunity to call Alex back when umpire Peter Hartley offered it.

There were angry scenes amongst the supporters after, followed by a lot of rhetoric from both sides, for me, the phrase “Spirit of the Game” comes in to question. When doing my umpires course some three years ago now that phrase and the ethics behind it was one of the first things which we was brought to our attention. 'Mankading' is regarded within the English game as being a breach of etiquette and is an unpalatable act for many players, as well as fans.

With Alex being run out like that (incidentally Alex and myself share the same birthday, May 6^th, shame fore me it is not the same birth date!), it reminded me of little incident which happened when Over Stowey took part in a six-a-side tournament at Cannington some 20 years ago. I was playing for a Stowey side who was playing against a host side in a pool match. While fielding I notice a Cannington batsman backing up quite a long way, in fact good as attempting a run or trying to steel an unfair advantage (Spirit of the Game?). In the over before mine, that same batsman was still doing this, plus the fact after one delivery he went to pick the ball up to give back to us fielders, but claimed a run as well (obstructing the field?).

Anyway, this was noticed by yours truly, so in my over, in fact the second ball, that said Cannington batsman was half way down the track, so I whipped the bails off, and appealed (quite loudly) for a run out. The umpire (from Kilve) asked if I was sure, and I replied in an affirmative, saying “It’s in the rules and he is out,” and he gave the batsman out, a bit reluctantly.

It was a bit fractious after that, I was confronted on the boundary after by the batsman I ran out, plus we have not been on speaking terms since, which doesn’t really bother me. I only want to appologise to the Kilve umpire and buy him a pint for putting him that situation.

This incident is still talked about locally, oh how we reminisce, but where was the “Spirit of the Game” there?

On the subject of the “Spirit of the Game”, Over Stowey played Bishops Hull on Saturday. A little incident happened there regarding Law 34, hit the ball twice. Stowey’s finest, Mark Sortwell, played a shot (doubt if it was attacking), the ball threatened to roll back onto his stumps after rebounding of his pad and he hit it away. Hull appealed to say he hit the ball twice, and it was given not out – correctly so.

I believe Hull was incensed by this decision, but the Law is quite clear on this. Mark could have been out hitting the ball twice as he intentionally hit the ball for the second time. However, if he hit the ball away solely in order to guard his wicket (which I believe he did) and before the ball has been touched by a fielder, he may lawfully strike the ball more than once.

Right, enough about the laws of cricket, I can feel myself dropping off to sleep now! So who is going to open the innings for England with Alastair Cook now Strauss has retired? You know how some things naturally go together like cheese and pickled onions, Strauss and Cook have been stepping out together for ages as England’s opening pair and it has, somewhat, been taken for granted.

So who will England pick? Joe Root of Yorkshire; promote Jonathan Trott or Ian Bell; or will Somerset’s prolific run scorer Nick Compton get a chance? Do England bring pack Kevin Pietersen (not to open off course). Does Eoin Morgan get a recall? And will England, and Graham Gooch, finally realise that Ravi Bopara id just not good enough to play for England, Second Division for Essex yes (just), England no.

Anyway, interesting dilemmas for the English hierarchy, but somehow I think (reluctantly) KP will be back in the England Test side for India.

Ok, 10.57, time for a pint, it is my Mum’s birthday!