Gerard Abood - be yourself
NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association | February 26, 2023
Gerard Abood played NSW Shires Cricket for Burwood Briars and NSW premier Cricket for Western Suburbs before swapping his cricket playing kit to a cricket umpiring kit.
In 20 years Gerard has achieved so much as an umpire and still has the burning desire to grow and is well prepared to do so.
His love of the game and its character is infectious so let’s find out more about his journey
What year were your born?
1972 in Sydney
Where did you go the high school?
I grew up in Croydon Park and went to high school at De La Salle, Ashfield.
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
I played my first game for Wests Aussie Rules Club, under 10s when I was 7. Distinctly remember being surprised by how quickly the red leather ball skidded off the coir mats which was completely different to the cork ball on the concrete nets that had been bowled by my older brother. Not sure I scored any runs those first few games
Where did you play your junior cricket?
I played my juniors at a variety of local clubs. Starting at West Aussie Rules Club at Croydon Park, might have morphed into the Croydon Park Cricket Club at some stage and ended up playing for Ashfield Catholic Club before heading off to the mighty Burwood Briars to play senior cricket when I was 15.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started my senior cricket by playing a couple of seasons at Burwood Briars in the Sydney Shires competitor when I was 15 to 17, a season in 2s and then a season in 1s. I was introduced to Grade cricket during those years by making the Wests Green Shield side and got player of the season so I ventured over to Wests when I was 18 and enjoyed playing 4 years of grade cricket in lower grades. I got up to 3rd grade but probably wasn’t smart enough to understand what it took to get better. I had a great time playing at Wests though, really enjoyed the opportunities I got to play PGs testing myself against some quality 1st grade bowlers. It was the best level cricket I played. Then once I grew out of the PGs age group I went back to Burwood Briars to play 1s and 2s there until I was 27 and gave playing away.
Also played a few season on a Saturday morning at Moore Park in the public service competition. I used to work in the Local Courts Department so we fielded 3 or 4 teams each year and had a lot of fun playing with some work mates and the competition had some very good players running around. Players who would have been serious grade or shires players if they had more time to devote to the sport.
Gerard with a number of great friends from Burwood Briars
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was a top or middle order batsman who suddenly became a good part-time bowling option whenever I captained teams….. Liked to hit the ball hard but lacked a little understanding of game tempo and shot selection and there was a lot of good looking 20s and 30s as a result
What age did you make your first grade debut?
Not first grade in grade cricket but first grade in Shires when I was 15 at Burwood Briars
What is your highest score in senior cricket?
In a serious match, 127 in a 1st Shires match against Canterbury Bexley at Lance Hutchison Oval at Riverwood. I got 150 not out one day on Moore Park in the Public Service competition one year
You now involved in cricket in a different capacity. At what age did you start umpiring and what was the attraction to become an umpire?
I started umpiring at 27. I had played every season since I was 7 and had not had the best season in what turned out to be my final year playing. I just had one of those seasons where everything went wrong, every half chance got taken, given out LBW a few times off the bat, and just didn’t overly enjoy playing. I had already turned my mind to becoming an umpire at some stage, so I did the course, sat the exam and brought the plan forward a few years.
I still wasn’t sure what to do during the winter so I decided to turn up to training and did a couple of pre-season training sessions with The Briars in early August. For whatever reason it just felt like it had been a really short off-season and I was not busting out of my skin to get back into training like previous seasons, so I knew it was time to make the change.
Gerard with Greg Davidson at Bankstown Oval
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Probably got different moments from playing and umpiring.
Playing-wise, we played in a 1st Grade Shires semi final against Strathfield and it turned out to be the best game I ever played in. A 4 innings match that ebbed and flowed over both days. We batted second and lost on 1st innings by maybe 2 or 3 runs, and then they looked like they had got away from us in the second inning to secure the win until a flurry of late wickets left us with a tight chase. Maybe 180-ish off 25-ish overs or something like that, and we got them 8 down with 1 ball to spare.
Umpiring-wise, hard to go past umpiring the Women’s Ashes Test in 2017, day-night match at North Sydney Oval when Elysse Perry brought up a 200, for the second time in the one innings. She was 194 and hit a ball that we thought went for 6 and she celebrated accordingly, as did the crowd. We referred it to the 3rd umpire who advised it had landed just inside the rope, so the celebrations and cheers proved to be premature. She brought up the milestone the next over with a stroke down the ground and I remember from my angle at square leg, as she ran down the wicket with her arms up, I could see the packed grandstand on the North Sydney Oval Hill behind her as they also stood as one with arms raised. A great achievement by a great player at a great ground with a great atmosphere that all helped to create a great moment in Australian cricket and a photo that I wish I had been able to take at that moment.
Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career?
As a player it’s hard to go past Gerard Price, a Burwood Briars stalwart and legend of the game and Shires Competition. He taught me a lot about how to play the game and what cricket is really all about and the benefits it brings to our character when played properly.
Umpiring, there have been many important influences as my career has developed. Hard to split between 3 guys who have each had a real impact on who I am both as a person and as an umpire.
Bruce Oxenford: I first met Bruce when I was in my second year of umpiring and was lucky enough to have been sent to a National Under 17s carnival in Melbourne as the NSW umpire. Bruce was at the carnival as the Queensland umpire. Apart from having played Shield cricket he had already umpired some Shield Cricket as well and I hadn’t even umpired a 1st grade game in Sydney. Bruce was clearly destined for bigger things, as is evident in his elevation to the ICC Elite Panel and I learnt a lot from him over those two weeks. We have been good mates ever since.
Simon Taufel: We are very fortunate to have a person of Simon’s ability and knowledge at our disposal in NSW. I met Simon very early in my umpiring development and stood with him in an early 2nd grade match and in my first ever Shield match. He has always been enormously forthcoming with help and advice. Simon’s friendship and guidance has clearly been influential in my development
Darren Goodger: I met Darren years ago and had the pleasure of standing with him in a 4 day game between NSW 21s and an English Academy team. That 4 day match showed me both what a fantastic umpire Darren is and how good a bloke he is. Darren’s insight and understanding about the art of umpiring and game management is up there with the best I have ever seen. He has had a massive influence on my career.
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
When I was growing up I loved watching Allan Border play. I loved his toughness, the tenacity and his back-to-the-wall drive. I remember our junior club kit had one Duncan Fearnley in it and I had to bat with that because AB did, even to the point where I remember going into bat with a different kit bat and swapping it with the kid in the middle that was using it at the time.
When I got a bit older Steve Waugh was my favorite for pretty much the same reasons. I worked a part time job from 13 and saved my pennies and the first bat I bought was a Symonds Super Tusker from Harry at Kingsgrove, just like Steve used at the time.
Allan Border and his Duncan Fearnley
Who are the two modern day players you enjoy watching the most?
Steve Smith, just a master craftsman, so unique in his style and just does what he needs to do to get everything in shape before striking the ball.
Virat Kohli, so much time at the crease and he seems to see things earlier than other players. Has the ability to not just hit the ball, but also the time to hit it to different parts of the ground that is beyond most players. I was watching Virat warm up before going out to field in a Test a couple of years ago, working on the slips cradle and I noticed that every ball went right into the middle of the hands, even the difficult ones that went off to the sides. His hands were so soft it was like he was catching an egg. He did it over and over. He even did that better than the other players!
What did you enjoy most about playing cricket in Sydney?
I stopped playing and went to umpiring at 27 years of age. I never realised how much I would miss playing until I stopped. The first few seasons were quite difficult in that I wanted to play again. I contemplated putting the umpiring on ice for a few years and go back to the playing ranks, but I was going reasonably well by then so I thought it better to stick it out. I did certainly miss playing though.
Of all the things I missed the thing I loved the most was being around my teammates and being part of that bigger story each week, whether that was on the field during matches, or at training or hanging around at the club post-match talking rubbish. Some really great memories and mates forged out of playing cricket.
If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which team mates would you choose to on your left and right?
Peter Burkhart. I have known Burks since our younger years at primary school at St Josephs at Enfield. Didn’t get to play in the same team as him much at Wests as he was well above my abilities but played the odd PGs match with him and really enjoyed watching him play cricket up close. Was always a great mate, even gave a speech at my 21st!! Super bloke and still mates today.
Gerard Price. Legend cricketer, both within Burwood Briars ranks and the whole of Shires cricket. Works within cricket development and is known by many around NSW and Australian Cricket. Perfectly suited to a development role in cricket, as that is what he has done for many years at Briars, bringing wave after wave of good young cricketers and great young people through the Briars system. Has done so much in the game and is one of the truly great human beings.
Which ground in Sydney club cricket did you enjoy playing at the most?
Hurstville Oval was pretty special for me, played an early Green Shield match there and got some runs, just loved everything about it.
Pratten Park was my favourite, though. It was our home ground for DLS Ashfield for school cricket and loved playing PGs cricket there as it is Wests home ground.
Special mention to Rothwell Park at Concord, home of the Briars and the best cricket wicket in Sydney.
Gerard about to make his international debut in Hobart
Who was the fastest bowler you ever faced?
I remember in his later years, Andrew Jones ran around in the Sires competition with South Sydney. He was only bowling three quarter rat power at that stage but I remember him nearly bowling me on a ball I left and I should have said nothing and be thankful I was still there…. Sadly, that is not what I did. He gave me the usual body language for a bowler who nearly got a wicket and I couldn’t help myself and made some idiotic comment about it being a good leave if it didn’t bowl me. Dumb!!
He was already turning around to walk back to his mark when I made the comment and he stopped and turned back to me, looked, didn’t say anything but asked for the ball and marched back to the top of his mark. Fair to say the next ball was NOT three quarter rat power!!
I remember it being outside off stump and letting it go, turning with it and watching it go through to the keeper as he grabbed it above his head, still rising. Quickest ball I ever faced and didn’t say another word to Andrew Jones after that.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
I’m sure there would have been a lot of advice when I played but I didn’t tend to listen or take a lot of it in as (I thought!) I knew everything, a great regret of mine. Definitely a lesson that I’m trying very hard to impart on my son, Henry, as he develops his cricketing.
Later, though, as an umpire who likes to think he might have grown up a bit, I umpired Greg Matthews in a grade match and he talked to me about a few things. The most important thing he ever told me was to stop trying to be somebody else. Some really valuable advice at the start of an umpiring career for somebody who used to take himself way too seriously.
What played the best innings you’ve seen in grade cricket in Sydney?
Dom Thornley stands out amongst some very good innings. Very early on in my career I was lucky to do a 1st grade limited overs match Northern District v Bankstown, some really good players running around that day. Bankstown had Wayne ‘Cracker’ Holdsworth, Scott Thompson and Matt Betsey (I think…) bowling. Dom Thornley had got to 50 through the middle overs of the innings and then put the foot down towards the back end. I don’t know the actual numbers, but I reckon he went from 50 to 130 not out in the space of about 30 or 40 balls and launched some really good quality bowlers all around Mark Taylor Oval. Just couldn’t miss, it was a day out for Dominic.
Special mention to a Simon Katich innings in a semi final against St George at Hurstville in about 2008 or 2009. I can’t remember exactly how many he got but it was big hundred, maybe 180 odd. He was on another level that day. I remember when he first came in the St George skipper and leggie Liam Zammit said to me “Don’t get overawed here, geez if it hits him in front, you still gotta give it”. When Simon put him onto Patrick Street for about the 5th time that innings, we might have had a chuckle together about whether anyone was feeling overawed.
Who were the three players in Sydney Grade cricket you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
Geoff Spotswood. From my playing days at Wests I loved being around Spotty. Hard-nosed and always trying to get the best out of himself and those around him. Never lucky enough to play in a side with Spotty but loved seeing him go about his business at training.
James Allsopp. I was lucky enough to umpire James a fair amount as we progressed through the junior state ranks at about the same time and then saw him often at Bankstown. Very accomplished ‘keeper, with naturally smooth glove work from a very young age. Always struck me as very driven to succeed but also always played the game the right way and showed real respect for cricket and everybody around it. I was lucky enough to umpire his final match in a grand final Bankstown Oval.
Greg Mail. Clearly, an accomplished cricketer who played it hard but epitomised what playing cricket should be about. In much the same way as James Allsopp, he always showed huge respect for everyone around the game and was a great teacher to his younger team mates and opponents of the cricket nuances and philosophies. Always looked forward to any match I was umpiring and Greg playing.
How long did it take to progress through to First Grade? Can you remember who was playing, which ground and who your umpiring partner was?
My progression was actually pretty quick. I started doing some Shires and 5th grade and then landed a few 4th and 3rd grade games and finished with a couple of 2nds in my fist season. My second season I was on the 2nd grade panel and I was stoked to get an appointment to do make my first grade debut in about November 2001. It was a one day game between Sydney Uni (who had a few players I knew through Briars connections) and Wests (who had a lot of players who I still knew from when I played at the club).
Funnily enough, I was listed to do that game with Simon Taufel but in the days leading into the match he was called away suddenly for higher duties. I didn’t realise until I had no partner 30 minutes before play that, due to an oversight, nobody had been appointed to replace Simon so I ended up doing my first 1st grade game on my own standing at both ends with members of the batting team doing square leg. I got told it was the first 1st grade game for something like 50 years that had only had 1 umpire.
Fortunately, knowing a lot of the players and with 2 fantastic captains (and blokes) in Gav Twining and Shane Stanton, it went a bit smoother than it might have gone otherwise.
Anyway we managed to get through ok so I figured any first grade match after that would be a piece of cake.
Who were the umpires you admired most when you started out as an umpire? Is there anyone in particular you wanted to model your umpiring on?
Simon Taufel was the stand out for anybody coming through the ranks during the years I did. He was the ICC Umpire of the year for 5 years running which speaks volumes for how he approached his umpiring and the quality of his work.
There is no question he revolutionised umpiring world-wide and I, along with all of the NSW umpires, were very lucky to have Simon as part of our association and learn from him in such close quarters.
When did you make your debut as an umpire in First Class Cricket? How excited were you and what do you remember most about the experience
My first class debut was in November 2008 and I was appointed to 3 matches in quick succession. I was very grateful as it felt like I would have 12 days of first class cricket ahead of me where I could ease into the role a little without worrying about if I’d get another game.
It was both an exciting time, but also a nerve-wracking time. It was also daunting to have worked at it for 8 or so years and then to suddenly become a “1st class” umpire, knowing all who had gone before me. I felt validated and the pressure, all in all, it was a very exciting moment.
I remember being presented with my first class shirt by Dr Harry Harinath, CA Board member and I felt it was a huge honour.
My debut was a tour match at the SCG, NSW v NZ. I remember a young fellow called Josh Hazlewood coming in from the country to make his 1st class debut as well. If my memory serves me well he might have been 17 and the youngest bowler to play first class cricket for NSW at the time.
I’d like to say I gave him his first 1st class wicket with a caught behind, but I think he might have had a little bit to do with that.
There was also a young batting leg-spinner in the team called Steve Smith. He batted very well in both innings, not for too many runs, but I remember being impressed. My partner on debut was Paul Reiffel who was fantastic support and made the experience all the more enjoyable.
In fact, somewhat prophetically, I remember Pistol commenting about the young Steve Smith and saying that he was too good a cricketer to only be getting the odd game here or there and that he would force himself into the team as a permanent fixture before too long. I figured if Pistol thought that, the kid must be OK.
The game was follow by a 2 Sheffield Shield matches at the SCG. NSW v QLD and then NSW v Sth Aus.
I was blessed with my partners, whether by accident or by design. Having stood with Pistol in game 1, I stood with Simon Tafuel in game 2 and Rod Tucker in game 3. With all the cricket they had either played or umpired by that stage, I was in very safe hands and I think is the ideal model for pairing debut or fledgling umpires. I benefitted from many lessons during those matches from all three guys that can’t be read from a book, you just have to go through the experience to learn.
I came away from those few weeks in November and December 2008 really enjoying the experience, much more confident that I belonged at that level and feeling more driven than ever to pursue the umpiring as a genuine career.
Former Australian Test bowler Paul Reiffel was Gerard umpiring partner when he made his first class debut
You played many years of senior cricket, did that help you in transitioning to become an umpire and if so how especially in the pressure moment of first class cricket and BBL?
There’s no question playing the game at a reasonable level for a number of years helps you to be a better umpire. The fact that there are guys umpiring who played at a much higher level than I did magnifies that benefit for them, but the benefit is still there. As long as the cricket you played was a reasonable level, there are things about the game that you understand, about the ebbs and flows, about the higher pressure moments, about nuances of the game that you can only learn by playing it. If you understand those things, then you are better placed to officiate it in the way the game requires.
It’s not so much that playing the level I did helps me to handle the pressure moments but it helps in anticipating and identifying what’s going in the game. I’m sure guys like Rod, Pistol and Paul Wilson, who played first class and Test cricket would be more adapt to handling the pressure more than most.
I’m more adept at handling pressure from my experiences as an umpire than as a player.
What do you find most challenging in umpiring first class cricket?
Scrutiny. It is not so much of a challenge now as I’m used to the environment, but in the early days of umpiring first class games the added and constant scrutiny, specifically, learning how to rationalise it and still perform as well as I could, was the biggest challenge for me.
Speaking of BBL, we’d love to understand from an umpire’s perspective what’s it like to be out in the middle of a BBL game going down to the last over. Can you describe what’s going on in your mind?
This sort of scenario is when it really matters. How you approach it, and whatever is going on your mind, is entirely in your control.
My approach is that I look for these moments and when they arise, I look to embrace them. I have always said there’s only 2 types of umpires; the one who hopes he is at square leg out of the firing line when the match is on the line, or the one who hopes he is at the business end and wants to show everybody how well he/she can umpire when it really matters.
Anyone can count to 6 and call over; it’s a bit harder to calmly executing your skills and making the right contribution to the game when it really matters.
So when that happens, there’s no question there is a heightened awareness around what is happening and what you have to do; you’d not be human not feel that. But it’s about being composed, knowing what your role is, and executing that as calmly as possible.
Gerard was the first Australian umpire to wear a helmet on the field
What are your ambitions as an umpire?
I have achieved more than I hoped already. To be on the Cricket Australia International Panel and getting opportunities to umpire T20 Internationals and One Day Internationals is something I continue to look forward to.
It would be silly not to aspire to umpire the pinnacle in cricket and stand in a Test Match.
I’m ambitious to be a Test umpire but there are a lot of very good umpires ahead of me, both in Australia and abroad.
That said, I remember years ago Simon Taufel saying “When the opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare”, so I’d like to think I am very well prepared to step up to that sort of opportunity if it came my way.
What are your hobbies?
Between running my business and keeping up with my family, there’s not a lot of time for hobbies. I have two kids, Hannah is 15 and Henry is 13 and my wife, Jacinda, and I try very hard to be involved in their activities and their schools, so that keeps us pretty tied up
What is your occupation, is umpiring a full time gig?
I am a solicitor by profession. I used to work for a commercial firm but when the umpiring started to get more intensive, back in around 2010, I left that firm and started my own law practice. I try to manage the work flow so I can continue umpiring.
What’s the name of the law firm?
My business is ACL Lawyers, and is primarily focused on debt recovery and litigation work, mainly working for corporate and trade clients.
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
Yes there are lessons from cricket that I take into work and life, but I think the lessons go both ways. There are certainly lessons and skills I have learnt in working and general life that have made me a better umpire. I am lucky that my two jobs have an underlying philosophy and skill set that tend to complement each other, so that’s handy.
On a very basic level, in both jobs I am presented with evidence and have to deal with those facts, so there are obvious similarities there.
But on a deeper level, there are elements of working with people and managing situations that come up all the time and have cross-over benefits. Having said that, I need to ease up on those things sometimes; Hannah and Henry (and Jacinda!!) are sick of me using my cricket philosophies on them….
