Who's the nice chap in the white?

AS this glorious summer's playing season draws to a close, a quite different cricket season is starting for men and women throughout Sussex '“ the training season for cricket's umpires and scorers.

Cricket was not invented because a couple of umpires sat down with a couple of scorers and, over a few beers, devised a game at which they could officiate! But the plain facts are that without umpires to see fair play and at least one scorer on hand accurately to record what happens, the game could not take place at all. A shortage of properly qualified umpires and scorers has been a feature of the game for many years.

Winter training courses are organised by local Associations affiliated to the national Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers. The ACU&S sets and marks the exams that are now mandatory for all new English umpires wishing to stand in the professional game, up to and including Test Matches.

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Anyone interested in keeping the game going will find a warm welcome on an ACU&S course. It's hard work, but very enjoyable for anyone who loves cricket and wants to put something back into the game. For course details, contact: Hastings & District: Paul Fuller 01424 853037; Eastbourne & District: Bill Booker 01323 504739; will.reg@virgin/net.

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