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Ask the Umpire - cricket trivia
Sunday 27 April
Chris: I've seen Joe Denly a few times and he's very promising. The thought of future England sides boasting talent like Broad, Denly and Wright is very exciting! Who do you fancy for the Twenty2o cup this year? I couldn't believe we (Kent) won last year! Amazing.
The Umpire: I'm not into predictions Chris, especially when it comes to Twenty20 cricket. Anything can happen, and often does. Take the Twenty20 World Cup. India weren't even going to bother to enter but did so and went on to win it. Now look what's happening in that country.
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Saturday 26 April
Blue Seagull: Hi Umps. Just wondered what was the comparison of career stats of Alec Stewart and Adam Gilchrist? And who do you think was the better player?
The Umpire: Stewart Test batting average 39.54; strike rate 48.66; highest score 190; 263 catches taken; 14 stumpings. ODIs: average 31.60; highest score 116; strike rate 68.36; 159 catches; 15 stumpings. First class: 40.06 average; highest score 271no; catches 721; stumpings 32. Gilchrist in Tests: batting av 47.60; hs 204; strike rate 81.95; 379 catches; 37 stumpings. Gilchrist ODIs: batting av 35.89; hs 172; strike rate 96.94; 417 catches; 55 stumpings. First class: batting av 44.16; 756 catches; 55 stumpings. Two fine cricketers but of the two I'd go for Gilchrist. His simple philosophy was "Just hit the ball - hard", and he did just that with stunning effect. Also, he was one of the most sporting players of modern times. Remember how he walked when given not out in a World Cup semi-final? And his keeping to Warne was usually little short of brilliant.
Friday 25 April
Craig: Hi Umps. I noticed Onions isn't even in the 26-man performance squad for this year. Why don't the England selectors seem to rate him?
The Umpire: Onions impressed during the England Lions tour of India and should become a more regular starter at Durham this season following the retirement of Ottis Gibson. That can only be good for the 25-year-old, who is likely to be given a one-day chance for England this summer, depending on his early-season form. I saw him a few times last season and was reasonably impressed. Gibson, England's new bowling coach, is certainly well placed to know his Onions, if you'll pardon the phrase.
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Thursday 24 April
Paul, Mids: Hi Ump; do you think it's looking more and more like Twenty20 is going to take over from the 50-over format? Thanks.
The Umpire: In a word, yes. The 50-over game has become tired and tedious, with one or two rare exceptions. Twenty20 cricket has obvious advantages for broadcasters and people who are trying to market the game to a wider audience. Question is: can the World Cup survive in its present format? The last tournament was pretty dire, in sharp contrast to the Twenty20 version won by India.
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Wednesday 23 April
Geezer, Shropshire: There is a difference between 'fit' and 'best of their ability'. As well as he's bowled over the last 12 months, I'd certainly rather face Sidebottom than Harmy at his best! Jones or Broad/Hoggard?
The Umpire: Hoggard's reliability was rightly called into question during the New Zealand tour, and the selectors' decision to drop him for the second Test proved to be spot-on. But he'll be back, especially if early-season conditions prove to be helpful for swing bowlers. Broad is improving nicely with both bat and ball and bowls well in tandem with Sidebottom. Not so sure about Jones and his fitness though.
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Tuesday 22 April
Ming: What would be the umpire's decision in the following scenario: batsman hits the ball up in the air, virtually above where he stood. The two batsmen go for a quick single. When the ball lands it starts to spin back towards the stumps (would the batsman still be bowled?). The non-striker kicks the ball away while completing the run.
The Umpire: If the ball rolls back onto the stumps, the striker is out. Although there is nothing in the rules for this specfic scenario, I would have to give the non-striker out for obstructing the field. Nice question!
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Monday 21 April
Niall: Could you tell me what Micheal Vaughan's Test batting average is since returning from injury last year? Thanks.
The Umpire: It's 40.18 thanks to a run glut against the Windies last summer: 884 runs in 22 innings.
