..Test Umpire Nigel Duguid takes questions at GCUSA classes
By Sean Devers
THE third session of the Georgetown Cricket Umpires & Scorers Association’s (GCUSA) training classes were held on Friday in the Umpires room at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and commenced with a review of Wednesday’s classes by GCUSA’s president, Ryan Banwarie.

But the highlight of the classes was an interactive session with Test umpire, Nigel Duguid.
The 53-year-old Duguid has stood in his one Test Match, so far.
He joins Badge Menzies, Cecil Kippins, Compton Vyphuis, David Narine, Clyde Duncan and Eddie Nicholls as Guyanese who umpired in Test matches.

“I played as a left-arm spinner for GCC in the mid 80s and early 90s before playing Dominoes. Umpire (Compton) Vyfhuis encouraged me to get into umpiring and I decided to write the exams” informed Duguid.
Vyfhuis died January 23, 2009 at the age of 76 after standing in six Tests and the very first ODI in the West Indies when the host beat Pakistan at Albion in Berbice.

“The first two times I wrote my preliminary exams I failed but I did not allow that to deter me and in my third year I passed. So, if you don’t make it the first time, learn from it and try again,” said Duguid, who has ascended to the highest level.
The aspiring Umpires are required to attend 15 days of classes before a mock exam, to be be held on August 2, 2023, before the preliminary exam is held.

Asked if he ever made mistakes, Duguid replied in the affirmative but warned that never try to make up for mistakes by giving the batter ‘out’ when you realise the ‘not out’ verdict you previously give was wrong… since that means that you will be making two wrong decisions.
“All Umpires make mistakes but the very good ones make less. I use technology because it’s available and will ensure the correct decision is made if the Umpire is unsure,” said Duguid, who became the 497th umpire in the world to officiate in Test cricket and the 53rd West Indian.

Duguid, who discussed Laws 9, 10 & 11, told the gathering that umpires must possess professionalism, integrity and honesty, but first and foremost a love for the game and the profession.
“At club level you won’t earn much but as you progress to the Regional and International level you will be able to live a comfortable life,” disclosed Duguid, who has officiated in three ICC Under-19 World Cups.
Duguid told the females that with the increased amount of Women’s’ cricket being organised means there will be a need for more female umpires.

“The mistake that sticks in my mind at the international level was made in my first Test in Barbados when I gave Jermaine Blackwood not out and England did not review the decision. Blackwood went on to get a hundred.
The replay showed the ball would have hit the wicket, so Blackwood has to thank the umpire and the England team for that hundred,” revealed Duguid, who encouraged players and the cricket media to attend the classes to learn the Laws of cricket.
Only one player (Ranole Bourne) was present for the last session which runs for two hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The next class is set for tomorrow from 17.00hrs and T&T’s International Umpire, Peter Nero, will provide a lecture on Laws 12 to 15.