Arthur Watson - An Umpire and a Gentleman
NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association | February 02, 2023
Arthur Watson is one of life and cricket’s great gentleman.
He was a wicket keeper in his youth and for over 50 years he was an Umpire. It didn’t matter if it was park cricket, kids cricket, Grade Cricket, First Class Cricket or One Day International Arthur enjoyed them all.
In January 2022 Arthur made history when he became the first umpire to officiate 800 matches in the Sydney Cricket Association when he umpired the Second Grade fixture between Fairfield-Liverpool and UTS North Sydney at Rosedale Oval where the umpire’s room is named after him
In January 2023 Arthur Watson was recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours for his contribution to cricket and the community over the last seven decades.
Let’s find out a little more about the man that’s become affectionately known as “Fossil”
Welcome Arthur
What year were you born?
I was born in God’s Country – Country Inverell NSW in 1940.
Where did you go the high school?
I had two years at Inverell High School and when my parents moved to Sydney in 1954 I finished my Leaving Certificate at Granville Boys High School.
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
My first game of cricket was at the school oval at Inverell Primary School as a nine-year old. I believe we won the match defeating one of our neighbouring schools. I remember hitting a huge six. Sometime, years later, on a return trip to Inverell I decided to visit my old school and relive my first ever six. I was horrified when I realised the boundary was only a little more than twenty yards from the concrete pitch.
At what age did you start umpiring?
I played park cricket at Guildford in the local Fairfield Liverpool area until I changed my bat for a hat when I was about 28. During my playing days, Fairfield Liverpool in the 1950's and 60’s, was part of NSW Country Cricket. I was lucky to represent as a wicket keeper (and a very low order batsman) at combined Western NSW level.
Arthur's first game as an umpire with his 2 year old son Graham
What was the attraction to become an umpire?
Not so much as an attraction to Umpiring but a distraction of several breaking fingers that wouldn’t stop breaking.
Can you remember your first game as an umpire in Sydney Grade Cricket?
Following umpiring some local district representative matches I, out of the blue, was chosen as the Country Umpire in the Annual Metropolitan v Country Match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This was February 1970. My fellow umpire was Sydney based Paul Berridge who was a former Sheffield Shield Umpire. Paul recommended I should come to Grade Cricket. This I did at the commencement of the 1970/1971 Season.
Many of the Country players from that match came to Sydney the following season and had distinguished First Grade careers among those - Steve Bernard, Barry Thebridge, Ro Shelton Tony Carroll and Bob Oakley. Metropolitan had a strong team including Ron Crippen, John Rogers, Peter Leslie and David Hourn. “Cracker” went through my country cousins and picked up a bag full of wickets.
At 29 my debut to Grade Cricket was a Fourth Grade Match at Woollarah Oval – Waverley v Balmain. My fellow umpire was Paul Hyman. Paul was the proprietor of a sex-shop at Kings Cross. Later that season I officiated with the Reverend Wallace Kirby so we had a good mix in those days.
How long did it take to progress through to First Grade?
My First Grade debut match was in January 1972. St. George defeated Sutherland at Caringbah Oval (now Glenn McGrath Oval). I was fortunate to have as my fellow umpire Reg Ledwidge who was returning from First Class duties. The St. George team included Warren Saunders, Bill Watson, Brian Booth, John Rogers John Martin (not a bad line up). Sutherland had a fair line-up as well including Bob Wade, Graham Warry, Bob Duff, Bob Bain (the older brother of Peter and John – better known as Schooners and Middies. Bob, of course, was Kegs). This was a great introduction to First Grade but back to Second Grade for the rest of the season. I was lucky enough to move permanently to the First Grade panel the following season, 1972/73, where I spent the next thirty years.
Who were the umpires you admired most when you started as an umpire?
Ted Wykes was my early mentor and I got to do a handful of games with Ted before he retired. Tom Brooks was inspirational and I learnt a lot from him. I always enjoyed umpiring with Dick French and Alan Marshall. Alan, Dick and I all joined the Umpires Association in the same season and became great mates.
When did you make your debut as an umpire in State Cricket? How excited were you and what do you remember most about the experience
My State debut was in November 1979. NSW v Victoria. I had officiated in a State Colts game the previous season. In the Colts game, Hilditch, Border, Perry, Bennett, Phillips were all babies but good ones at that. A call came from John Wood from NSW Cricket Association about a week before the Victorian match “What are you doing during the week commencing 3rd November”. At first, I thought it might have been a minor mid-week game. When told I had been chosen to do the Shield match I was surprised at first, elated of course. I had to do some re-organisation with my accounting clients but it did not take too long to get back to John with a “Yes, I am OK” In the game, NSW scored 272 in its first innings with Doug Walters top score with 83. Victoria responded heavily in its first innings with high 400’s. NSW played out for a tame old draw. Day 4 coincided with the Melbourne Cup so a drinks break was strategically timed.
You made your international debut as an umpire in a one day game between West Indies and England in November 1979. That must have been an incredibly exciting time. Clive Lloyd as captain of the Windies, Joel Garner, Holding, Botham. What’s it like walking to the SCG as an international umpire for the first time – can you describe the experience, the emotions?
That was a night full of excitement – everything happened that night. Throw in Greenidge, Haynes, Croft, Roberts, Randell, Gower, Brearley, Willey, Willis, Underwood into the mix of names you mentioned.. My colleague was Mick Harvey from Queensland. England scored 211 from its 50 overs. During the West Indies innings, there was a rain delay which reduced England’s total to 199 and West Indies to 47 overs. No DLS in those days. Conditions were not ideal and the match went down to West Indies needing 3 runs to win off the last ball with Colin Croft (the number 11 batsman) on strike with Botham bowling the last ball of the match. Brearley was re-setting his field when keeper Bairstow suggested to him to put everyone on the boundary fence, including the keeper. No inner circles, no field restrictions, no law restricting where the keeper can field – all these law changes and playing conditions came later. The result – Botham bowled Croft, with the ball just clipping the leg stump resulting in a win to England. You asked if it was exciting – sure was.
Do you know how many games you umpired in Sydney Grade Cricket?
An interesting question. Not including AWGreen Shield and Poidevin-Gray Shield our Association’s Annual Report lists the number as 792 games with some 365 in First Grade – all just numbers.
Arthur's 750th game as an umpire with his 54 year old son Graham
What was your most memorable moment as a cricket umpire?
Every match brings with it something memorable. It is exciting to do a final but equally exciting to see a 10-year-old lad get a wicket. So many exciting moments have happened over my period of being out in the middle As an Ambassador and frequent umpire for NSW Blind Cricketers, if you want some memorable moments, spend a day with these guys.
Arthur presenting trophy to NSW Blind cricketer Shaun Fitzpatrick
Most favourite ground in Sydney to umpire?
I have four, including of course the SCG,
Rosedale Oval has a special place in my heart.
Don Dawson, not the best oval, but one of my favourites, as that is where I did my first match as a badged umpire in 1967.
Springfield Park, located across the road from where I live. I see it every day.
What’s the most intriguing ground you’ve umpired?
I have umpired at half a dozen or so grounds in New Zealand and Village Greens in England where there are trees inside the boundaries. Always intriguing to umpire. It was always intriguing to umpire at Bensons Lane to watch the fielders climbing through the fence not knowing, at first, the fence was electrified.
Who were the three batsman you admired most as an umpire in Premier Cricket?
I always enjoyed umpiring Doug Walters. There was always something happening when Doug was involved – either batting, bowling or fielding. His shot I liked best was when he came to attention and majestically played the ball through mid on. I always admired Brian Booth. He was such a gentleman and made the game such a pleasure to umpire. Brian never sledged anyone and, quite frankly, every player respected Brian. I did not see anyone ever sledge him. Rod Bower was always a pleasure to umpire. He hit the ball so hard and so often. I saw many runs from Rod’s bat. I wonder how far the ball might have gone if Rod was to use one of today’s bats.
Who were the three bowlers you admired most as an umpire in Premier Cricket?
I guess my three are all spinners,
Greg Matthews. I had lots of tussles with Greg. He always wanted more than the umpire was prepared to give. He was accurate and kept you on your toes all the time – loved him to bits.
Tom Shiner. A great leggie in the late 80’s into the 90’s who believed every time the ball hit the pad the batsman was out – a trait of all bowlers I guess but no better than Tom. Had a good variety bag in any spell he bowled. I am surprised he never won a baggy blue. Maybe his batting let him down.
Third goes to Bob Aitken – father of the current Robbie Aitken. I’ve umpired both and believed Dad was the better. Bob was aggressive, competitive, always in trouble with someone, somewhere. Spun the ball a mile, had the knack of getting the umpire to say “yes”, when maybe “no” was the correct answer, yours truly included. He had an excellent arm ball and flipper. One of Sydney’s top spinners
Who were the three players you admired most over the years for their competitive spirit and the way they played the game?
John Benaud – an excellent Captain and great team player, a tactician, knew the game better than most. Definitely the best captain I umpired.
Ken Hall (the Emu Ken Hall) – Should have had a baggy blue. When a medium pacer, NSW had plenty – became a top-class spinner when NSW was flooded with those. He was an excellent allrounder with hands the size of buckets. Do not miss any in slips. Another who was a delight to umpire.
Brad McNamarra – Heaps of talent, heaps of aggression, gave the umpire heaps of challenges. Also an umpire’s delight.
Can I throw in a fourth, David Kelley – one of the best readers of the game. He thought about the game like a chess player and always appeared to be one or two plays ahead of the game. And a fifth I always thought highly of was Greg Hartshorne. There were many others.
We can only assume there were quite a few characters in the game you had to keep an eye on in the field. Is there a particular moment or story you’d like to share about one of the characters?
Lots of those. The page is not long enough to list these. Brian Riley was tops.
Is there any particular game you’ve umpired that stands out above all others?
Sydney University v Cumberland at Sydney Uni. Cumberland scored 4 dec 364 (Doug Walters 142). J. Benaud clouted a big six over the Grandstand. Uni got there in the end with 8 for 366. Memorable because both teams were happy to play on in the dark to get a result. To add interest, a light sprinkle had started. The car lights were shining brightly on Parramatta Road. The batting hero for Uni was Mick O’Sullivan who was not renowned for his batting but he was certainly a champion this day.
Who’s been the biggest influence in your involvement in cricket?
My two favourite girls – firstly my Mum who was a great back-stop when I first went to Grade with a young family. Secondly, my wife, Ann has always supported my interest in and love of cricket. Without her support, such many hours at cricket would not have been possible.
Who was the funniest umpire you’ve had the pleasure to umpire with?
Definitely, John D Purser, Better known as “Catfish”, was Johnny O’Keefe’s drummer in the real world but a ton of fun in the middle.
Who is your favourite all-time cricketer growing up?
As a wicket keeper I always admired Wally Grout
What did you enjoy most about umpiring?
Wow!! What a question. Why have I umpired for fifty years? I enjoy the challenges, the camaraderie, mixing with people with like interests. Today I enjoy giving back to the game the enjoyment which has given me so much pleasure and a mountain of life-long friends. I enjoy umpiring the kids. I enjoy umpiring with our new recruit umpires. It has all been great fun
Arthur at one of his favourite grounds Rosedale Oval after his 750th game as an umpire
Who would you consider the top 2 umpires in the game today?
Simon Taufel if he was still umpiring but as he is not, I choose Richard Kettleborouh and Marais Erasmus.
If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which two umpires from any level would you choose to on your left and right?
On my left Ted Wykes. On my right David Shepherd
Did you have any superstitions?
Not so much a superstition but I have always preferred to say to my partner as we walk onto the field, not the traditional “good luck” but “Good concentration,“
Technology – good or bad for cricket from an umpire’s perspective?
All this technology stuff was not invented when I was on the representative scene. Now we have it, I support its use. When it is all said and done it usually shows how accurate our Umpires are, except of course, for the odd howlers.
What piece of technology is most valuable to an umpire and why?
I am looking forward to the third umpire taking charge of the front foot “No Ball” I always found this one of the hardest calls to make – worn crease markings, bowlers back leg obscuring front foot etc.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
George Borwick always said. Know the 42 Laws – then apply Law 43 Common Sense. The advice I give to my new chums that I work with today is “Go out there, relax and enjoy yourself”
Do you like the modern game and what can the game do to make it better for umpires?
I am comfortable with all forms of the game. They all have a place to play.
What advice would you offer a young 20 year old who has the ambition of umpiring Test Cricket?
At 20 I would like him/her to still to be playing to get a better feel of the game - nothing like a playing background for an umpire to have in his kit. But if he/she was set on an Umpiring career I would be suggesting a coachable work ethic, a learn from every game approach, gain as much information as you can from the oldies - they have been there and done that. I would be telling them to forget their mistakes - these are going to happen, forget them. But above all I would be telling them to enjoy the ride – after all, it is the best seat in the house.
What are your hobbies?
Outside cricket enjoying my family. I now have a great grand-daughter to keep me occupied. I do a fair bit of community work.
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
I have been long retired from the workforce but I do endeavour to treat all cricketers, on and off the field and all people alike with respect. In return, I think that this respect has been returned to me twofold. Treat others as you would wish them to treat you.
