Its a sort of summer tradition. At a convenient lunch interval on Test Match Special’s ball by ball coverage of England Tests, former umpire John Holder hosts an Ask The Umpire session.
One took place on the Friday of the Edgbaston Test against West Indies on 26th July. Hosted by Jonathan Agnew and Vic Marks Holder fielded a range of interesting questions about the Laws of cricket.
As often one came from the Beard Liberation Front
Men’s cricket teams with a majority of beard wearers are now common. A bowler finding that the ball needs drying tosses it to a fielder with a beard. The player dries the ball using his substantial beard. However he has previously applied beard oil. Should the umpire investigate if this means the condition of the ball has been tampered with?
John Holder ruled that a player drying the ball with his beard is out with the Laws of cricket. Hence if it did take place the Umpire would judge that the ball had been tampered with. A 5 run penalty would be awarded and the ball changed.
A further Ask The Umpire session is scheduled for the England v Sri Lanka Test in Manchester in September. The Beard Liberation Front research department is formulating potential questions
Link to Podcast of Ask The Umpire 26th July 2024
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