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[Nozza]

Did you umpire Taverners today? 

If so which matches and on which field?

Where and which teams you umpireing next week?

thanks nozza

[art]

No Taveners this week. Yesterday and through until Thursday I am umpiring the State U 14 championships.

[Nozza]

hows about next week?

[art]

Hmmm, keepers are not my favourite people at present. A keeper friend of yours from the Gold Coast managed to severly damage my left hand during an u14 state championship today. I either have a badly burst blood vessel or a broken bone in it. When the swelling goes down I will get it x rayed. Next week I have another tournament then Club cricket in Brisbane the following weekend then the U15 championship in Ipswich the following week.

[Howzat]

How did that happen art?

[art]

Hmmm. Ball bowled, rested in keeper's hands, I turned to the bowler and at the same time the keeper, for unknown reason, returned the ball to the bowler's end. He hadn't done that before with this bowler. I assume he looked away because no one called out. The ball struck the back of my left hand just below the knuckle joint of my inex finger. It was the seam that hit it.

I was in the process of deciding what to do when my hand went numb and I dropped the counter. pain was reasonably intense, which I find strange actually given it was such a slight injury. It was drinks a few balls later so I came off and had it checked by a medical official and iced it and went back on. After a few overs I got it rechecked and bandaged but couldn't finish the match. Still can't believe how much pain there was and this is from an umpire who was hit over the right eye some years ago when a hard hit lofted drive bounced off the non striker's helmet on to off stump and into my face. The doctor at the ground put four stitches in it and I carried on.

I guess one of the hazards umpiring u14's is that silly things happen from time to time.

[Nozza]

oh art, i would not know him if he is playing 14s!

Taverners is now into 20 20 so you are missing all the action,

[Nozza]

Art have you umpired a game of tavs with the sunny coast in?

For those who do not know about taverners it is u17 rep competion for south eastern QLD.

It is without a doubt the most boring cricket imaginable.   A strike rate of 30 is high.  200 off 90 is a fast score!  The brisbane teams just defend.  Us on the sunny coast play our shots and well we will score 250 off 60 and be all out whereas off 60 they will be 130 but 4 down!!

Not entertaining, but we have a good team for t20 cricket and like the blokes who i play with so it is fun

[art]

Well Nozza frankly I am looking at giving up under age umpiring in Australia. The rules are appalling and the conduct of some of the teams (and their coaching staff) are a joke.

And I will argue with anyone in any forum on the matter.

I enjoy 20/20 and have done many games overseas. I have no say ion allocations here.

[Sambo]

I think I know the bloke who hit you mate. Did he play taverners?

[art]

Well he is a quality keeper and a momentary lapse at his age is excusable.

The injury means I will miss playing in a charity match just after Christmas.

Just for Nozza. Umpired Sunshine Coast agan today. They had a gutsy and stirring win over Darling Downs. The match was played in great spirit. I was pleased to able to thank the teams and coaches after the match for a great day.