TORONTO, Canada – Umpires attached to the Scarborough Cricket Umpires Association (SCUA) have voiced their concerns on two major issues which surfaced during the 2014 season and are still to be resolved.
At last Sunday’s annual general meeting held at the Twilight Restaurant and Bar here, discussions featured on the much talked about subject of “pelting” in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) and the still to be resolved matter involving East West Cricket Club whose players caused an abandonment of the Premiere League final in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) tournament.
Dissenting views were expressed on the contentious issue of pelting with some umpires claiming that some players were being given the “green light” by others and continue to use this as a right to continue the unlawful act.
The SCUA has however issued a stern warning that the illegal bowling will not be tolerated this season and the errant bowlers will be penalized. If in the opinion of the umpires, a bowler is deemed to be pelting, a first warning will be given and thereafter he will be suspended from bowling in the match.
When the SCA held its annual general meeting several weeks ago, Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) president Archie Mohan had bemoaned the fact that no decision was taken against East West for their unruly behaviour in the Premiere League final which was awarded to his team.
Acknowledging that they had received the report from the presiding umpires, SCA vice-president Besham Singh, whose portfolio the disciplinary committee falls under, assured that the matter will be dealt with prior to the commencement of the 2015 season.
This time around, it was the turn of one of the umpires who stood in the match to express his disgust that to date “nothing has been heard about the matter.” And once again, the SCA, who was represented at Sunday’s meeting, failed to respond positively. President Deo Samaroo however gave the undertaking that a report will be presented before the 2015 season get going next month. He also told the gathering that vice-president Bhesham Singh, whose portfolio discipline falls under, is currently out of the country.
On the brighter side, the SCUA took the opportunity to hand out certificates to several of his members who were successful at the Level One and Two exams, organized and sanctioned by the Ontario Cricket Umpires Association.
Special accolades were also reserved for treasurer Mathew Francis, who excelled at the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) exam a few months ago and is primed to do his oral and practical during the new season.
Two posts were up for grabs, that of president and secretary and the incumbents, Albert Ramcharran and Azad Khan respectively, who were nominated by founder-member Vish Jadunauth, were returned unopposed for another two-year term.
The experienced Peter Montfort continues as vice-president while Azam Ally remains the assistant secretary after being elected at the previous annual general meeting.
Members observed one minute’s silence on the passing of stalwart member Budhave Anandjit who died last year after serving the association for several years.
The SCUA, through its vice-president Montfort, will be conducting Duckworth-Lewis sessions prior to the start of the season and all interested umpires are urged to attend.
By Frederick Halley