Test Match Special has run two lunchtime Ask The Umpire sessions this summer, one during the West Indies Test series and another at the Old Trafford Test against Sri Lanka on 22nd August.
They have been hosted by John Holder, veteran player and Test Match Umpire, who is now retiring from the role. It will however continue with a new Umpire.
The Beard Liberation Front traditionally poses cricketing beard questions and the two for summer 2024 are below:
On July 26th it featured the question of whether a player drying a ball in their beard would constitute ball tampering. John Holder ruled that it would. The player may well have used beard oil and this could alter the condition of the ball. Dead ball would be declared the player likely disciplined.
On August 22nd the question was: Conditions are overcast and there is a fine mizzle/drizzle falling. Its not enough for the Umpires to take the players off. However a batsman who is at the crease, and wearing a W G Grace style beard. finds that his beard is becoming increasingly waterlogged. It is hampering his ability to concentrate and play effectively. Can he retire hurt, blow dry his beard in the Pavilion, and then return to the crease at the fall of the next wicket? John Holder ruled that provided the Umpire agreed this would be ok. Jonathan Agnew opined that the player could simply ring their beard out at the crease.
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