Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Wednesday 10 December 1924
That Denaby Incident
M.C.C. Says Decision Depends on Question of Fact
Regarding the incident that occurred in the Yorkshire Council match between Denaby Main and Bullcroft Main, last August, the following statement was issued by the M.C.C. last night:
In the North of England a good deal of criticism has been given to what was said to be the M.C.C.’s decision in the case of a left-handed batsman who, when playing an off ball, turned his bat to hit the ball in the manner of a right-handed batsman. The umpire gave him out for obstruction.
The Secretary of the M.C.C. wrote as follows:
The only Laws of Cricket which could possibly apply to the case as disclosed in the correspondence, now returned, are Law 30, “Obstructing the Field,” and Law 43, “Unfair Play.” In both cases the decisions depend on questions of fact, for which umpires are appointed.
In the case under review, the umpire has given his decision, and it should be supported.
It may interest you to know that similar incidents have happened before without penalty to the batsman.
Up to the present no special legislation has been deemed necessary. Umpires are appointed to decide on questions of fact, and their decisions should so far be supported, otherwise it would be necessary to hold an inquiry on the views of both sides, which in most cases would be impossible. No judicial body should decide on an ex parte statement.