page revision date: 18th September2008

Dave’s back from his Indian Adventure

Dave Brandon is a popular and respected umpire in Pembrokeshire Cricket who recently arrived back in the county after almost two months in India umpiring their new and much-vaunted 20/20 cricket programme. We gave Dave time to acclimatise again and caught up with him at a cricket pitch so that he could tell us what it was like to officiate under floodlights in front of almost 20,000 avid supporters – and with players allowed to query decisions made against them!

How did you get picked to umpire in India?

Through Jeff Evans, the former Glamorgan player and first-class umpire with whom I had officiated with Glamorgan 2nds and was involved with in training new umpires. He contacted me last November to ask about the possibility of my going but when the time came I had only three weeks’ notice and had to leave my wife Julie behind, which was a shame since she loves cricket almost as much as I do!

Did it all work out as planned?

Not really because originally I was to umpire the local 20/20 championships, which were to run over a period of five weeks and the idea was that the local teams and one from Pakistan would have four top international players in their squad to help in the development of talented local players. But the tournament was so successful that they then quickly organised another series between India, Young India, Pakistan and The Rest of the World – and I was thrilled to be asked to stay to umpire in those matches as well.

What changes did you experience, on and off the field?

The heat was amazing after the UK and standing in matches demanded lots of concentration, particularly since there were crowds of 15,000-plus and there was a referral system which meant that players could ask for a specified number of referrals to the third umpire which added even more to the pressure valve situation. Fortunately, only three decisions were reversed throughout the two competitions so we didn’t do a bad job as an umpiring team where in the main I was on the pitch but sometimes acted as third umpire who had the job of watching the ‘slow-mo’ on TV and checking that decisions were correct. I sat with one of the three match referees, who were Mushtaq Ahmed, Prasanna and Adjit Wadekar, all famous cricketers
The only problem was to watch out for ‘Delhi Belly’ and although I had one slight problem I managed to survive well. We were very busy but had a few days to go sight seeing and India is a spectacularly wonderful place to visit with its massive cities and teeming crowds, even though there is poverty there as the stark contrast. I loved Chandighar, with its tree-lined avenues and lovely buildings the best.

What was the most memorable match?

Undoubtedly the first final of the three-match series when Hyderabad played Lahore and won off the last ball. They needed 12 runs off the final over bowled by Razzaq and there were three wickets and three wides before Inzamam ul Haq’s team won and the crowd went wild!
The second match was a tense tie as both teams reached 130 for 9 and required a bowl-out where New Zealander Chris Harries was one of two players who hit the strumps and helped Hyderabad win by 2-0 there was no need for a third match.
It was also great to umpire players of the calibre of Lance Klusener (South Africa), Nathan Astles (New Zealand), Tino Best (West Indies) and Damian Martin (Australia), all of whom looked the part.

What was the low-point of the trip?

The scariest moment came in a floodlit match between Lahore and Kolcatta, watched by upwards of 15,000 people where hundreds of large moths were attracted by the lights. One actually flew into my ear and I was forced to stop the game because I couldn’t get the blighter out. One of the trainers managed to use tweezers to eventually remove it when I had visions of it burrowing into my brain!

What about the second competition? Was that as good?

Yes it was, although there wasn’t quite the intensity of some of the local derbies. There were some fine individual performances and I will never forget chatting at tea-time in one match to Dean Jones, the former Aussie star who was there to commentate on TV.

What were the highlights of the second competition?

Undoubtedly the two games between India and Pakistan because the rivalry is so intense. The players actually got on well enough but the press hype was enormous and with a crowd so large that every seat was taken and there were hundreds sitting on the grandstand roofs and even the floodlight stanchions. Pakistan started as favourites but had a number of players out injured and India were worthy winners with a team where the oldest player was 24 and there were no full internationals.
India beat the Rest of the World in the final at Hyderabad and I was third umpire – but only had to make two decisions on run outs that were easy so I could enjoy some of the cricket as a bonus.

What will you remember most?

Everything was an immense experience but the atmosphere was like nothing I have ever come across before, especially the noise in the crowd, which was deafening. The players were very friendly and one evening I was sitting at the bar and was joined by Mike Kasprowitz, who chatted away about the games. I also became very friendly with Ranmore Martinez, the Sri Lankan umpire, and Shakeel Ahmed, the former Pakistani test umpire.

Did you find it strange starting out again in local matches?

Not at all, other than the change in the weather because it wasn’t quite so hot! Cricket locally is not only a good standard but the players respect umpires and there is a good relationship between them. I had my leg pulled about umpiring in India but everyone has been very interested and a lot seem to have read the daily blog I did on the internet whilst I was over there.

Would you go back again?

You bet I would! There is to be another series this winter and I am hoping to receive a call again. India is an amazing country, the cricket was fantastic and this time I’ll be able to take Julie, who loves her cricket as much as I do!