Kmflett's Blog

Beard Liberation Front

Media Release

29^th June

Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266

A new normal as Men’s First Class Cricket returns: independent beard assessors

The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that with men’s  First Class Cricket set to return on 1^st August after Test cricket in July it’s time for a new normal and that must include the appointment of Independent Beard Assessors to assist the Third Umpire in international matches

Test Match Special is currently replaying the 2^nd Leeds Test from 2017 between England and the West Indies which featured one of John Holder’s Ask The Umpire sessions. BLF Organiser Keith Flett asked him what the position would be if in a referred LBW decision the batsman beard obscured the Umpire’s view. Broadly Holder’s view seemed to be that ‘Out’ Beard Before Wicket was possible

Holder returned to the matter in 2019 when opined on it in Test Match Special’s Ask the Umpire slot on 2nd August 2019 during the second day of the Ashes Test at Edgbaston in response to questions from BLF Organiser Keith Flett and Peterborough supporter Toby Wood.

Holder noted in response to Flett that while players might try to ‘improve’ the ball by rubbing it in a beard previously enhanced by beard oil or balm, it was a matter for the Umpires on the field to intervene if they were concerned.

Likewise Holder suggested that if a player’s beard was long enough to obscure an Umpire’s view of play they could be asked to tuck it into their shirt.

The Beard Liberation Front says that while it totally accepts that Holder’s comments were made in good faith they might lead to dissent on the field. Criticising the length of someone’s beard or suggesting they were using it to illegally change the ball could be a very sensitive issue.

The campaigners say that it would be better for each Test to have an independent beard assessor who could deal with any facial hair related disputes under a previously agreed Code which should sit alongside but not be part of the Laws of Cricket

BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, imagine what W G Grace would have said and done if an Umpire had attempted to intervene on a matter relating to his beard. An independent assessor would make sure there were no close shaves on the field. With Test cricket set to resume in July and Men’s County Cricket in August the new normal must include positive moves to address the beard issue.