Banana in one hand of the fielder and even then caught the catch – what would be the decision of the umpire?
Many times very strange questions are asked in the examination of umpiring. One such question: Banana in one hand of the fielder and still caught the catch- what would be the decision of the umpire? After reading such a question, it comes to the mind that why is the question asked? Would you believe that this question is taken from a Test match. Two things are fun in this- how did a banana come in the fielder’s hand and how did the fielder throw the ball despite having a banana?
The reason for remembering this story at this time? These fielders were New Zealand cricketer Bruce Mure, opener batsman, scored 598 runs in 13 Tests between 1968 and 1971 and in 1969 in Pakistan Test seriesThe first New Zealand team to win was in the team. There are two more fun introduction to him:
* In 1968, took one wicket in the Test against India in Wellington- the most important thing is that no run was given. After this, he did not bowl in any Test.
* Her daughter Joe Mure and her son -in -law Robbie Kerr played for Wellington, while both her daughters Amelia Kerr and Jess Kerr are New Zealand’s female cricketer. Murray has 11 grandchildren called ‘Popa XI’.
Now come to his third and funny introduction- the fielder who caught a catch despite having one hand in the test. To know this story, you have to go on a 1969-70 Pakistan tour of New Zealand. This was a historic tour for New Zealand- the first Test and series win in Pakistan. In the same tour, 90 score made in Lahore- their biggest test score.
Banana is the story of the last Dhaka Test of the series which was played from 8 November 1969. Captain Graham Douling decided to bat and New Zealand scored 273 runs in the first innings in a 4 -day Test but batted 166.3 overs. Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam (5-91) was the most successful bowler. The best batting in Pakistan’s innings was seen when Shafakat Rana and Asif Iqbal were on the pitch.
During this partnership, Murray was fielding on third man. Don’t know why, the audience was constantly throwing fruits at them. When the limit was done, they ran to their captain. Dowling complained to umpires Shuja Uddin Siddiqui and Dawood Khan and threatened that if anything else was thrown at their cricketers, they would walk out.
Did not have to wait long. During one over of del headley, a banana hit the neck directly on the neck. Mura picked up the banana and ran towards the pitch- did not even see that the game was going on. When Dowling saw the fast running Murray, he had started his run-up by the bowler Hadli, to stop. Hadley did not hear the sound of douling and bowled the ball. The interesting thing is that even the umpires did not see Murray running. Meanwhile, in the meantime, kept running with a banana in his hand.
Asif was oblivious to all this- played a shot towards the street and then there was no fielder there. Murray was running and coincidentally from the street- as the ball came from the front that the ball came from the front- Murr diverted to take the catch. This was a wonderful catch- banana in one hand and ball in the other hand! New Zealand fielders jumped happily. The umpire did not consider the catch and declared it a dead ball.
This test was drawn but this banana catch became memorable forever. There is no such anecdote.
