Chen Tay - back yourself

NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association | April 17, 2023

Chen Tay is a member of the NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association.

Based in Ballina Northern NSW Chen umpires in the Far North Coast Cricket Council but through the great initiatives of the NSWCUSA Chen has umpired several games of NSW Premier Cricket in Sydney.

Chen has a deep love of cricket and umpiring and is often travelling around NSW and into Queensland to umpire junior and veterans’ games and competitions.

He’s an energetic and engaging umpire with a great sense of humour, let’s find out more about Chen’s journey in the game

 

 

What year were you born?

1979 in Battambang, Cambodia

Where did you go the high school?

Mullauna Secondary College (Previously known as Mitcham High School)

Did you play much cricket before you started umpiring?

I first played cricket for Blackburn North Baptists in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. I remember my first game was in Glen Iris and we got bowled out for about 80. I had my cheap k-mart bat which was probably more suited to backyard cricket than club cricket, but I didn’t know any better. I started playing as soon as I got my P’s and my school mate Daniel said his team were looking for players. I loved every moment and was always trying to learn to get better. When I first played, we had to put the matting down and then roll it up after each game and put it away. So, when we played on a synthetic wicket, it was like heaven.

I moved up to Lennox Head in 2001 after graduation and played with the Lennox Head Cricket Club. My first skipper was Darel Viddler who is still playing today, 22 years later. I was a determined all-rounder who tried to make an impact and help the team.

It took me 15 years of playing cricket to achieve my highest score of 214 not out at Williams Reserve in Lennox Head on 14^th Jan 2012. Prior to that, I had never scored a century before. I even had some team mates jokingly say to me that technically, I still didn’t score a century because my first was a double. Funny thing is that I scored it borrowing a bat of my mate Dave Greiner. He had a Callen Bat and I asked if I could “borrow” it not knowing how the innings would plan out. Unfortunately, he didn’t let me keep the bat, so I reached out to former test player Ian Callen (who made customized bats from Australian Willow) and asked if he could help out a fellow Callen double centurion out with a bat. You wouldn’t believe it, but he did have a double centurion club for Callen bat owners, so I got on the list and got a great deal on a customized Callen bat which helped me make another 3 centuries in future years.

Chen Tay 214 not out scorecard

At what age did you start umpiring?

I started umpiring at 41.

What was the attraction to becoming an umpire?

After hearing many first graders complain about the umpiring in our local league, I thought it was time to see if I could help. I loved the game and thought about what it would be like from a different perspective. I had no idea how you could be an umpire. At the time, the whole country was in lockdown and the NSWCUSA ran an introduction to Umpiring course on Zoom with Claire Polosak. I loved it and continued with further training to get my level 2 accreditation with NSWCUSA and am now a full member.

Claire Polosak

Can you remember your first game as an umpire in senior cricket?

I was so excited and nervous for my first game. I thought I would be with another colleague but they knew I had played cricket, so they let me umpire alone for my first game. It was at Stan Payne Oval in Evans Head NSW. And I absolutely panicked as I rocked up to the ground as the sprinklers were still watering the pitch! I was later informed that the third-grade game between Evans Head and Northern Districts was moved to the Synthetic wicket on the next ground. We started at 1pm and the game finished at 3.15pm so we didn’t even make it to the tea break as Norths suffered a major collapse.

Who were the umpires you admired most when you started out as an umpire?

I always admired Simon Taufel growing up. It was great to see a young umpire and watch how he communicated with players and control a game.

I’m a big fan of Richard Kettleborough and I like his style and temperament.

What’s been your most memorable moment as a cricket umpire so far?

My most memorable moment was umpiring my first game in Sydney Premier Cricket. I was appointed to a second-grade game at Bankstown oval. I was lucky to get the opportunity as a country umpire to do a Sydney Premier Grade game with Rod Porter. I was so excited but completely overwhelmed by the occasion. I frequently had to remind myself to breathe and enjoy it. My umpire observer, Laurie Borg, gave me positive feedback and I really enjoyed the captains meeting after the game.

Chen Tay and Rod Porter at Bankstown Oval

Can you describe the funniest moment you’ve had on the cricket field as an umpire?

I was umpiring the Over 60’s Veterans cricket State Championships in Tamworth. Like all my games, I use the Zings stumps that light up and I let both skippers know that the bails still must come off.

The bowler bowled a great ball that “grazed” the leg stump. Of course, the Zings stumps light up, but no bails come off. A moment later, I hear the square leg mouth off, “Why the f#%k are we using the Chinese Stumps?”

Sensing the tension from other players in the field, I lightened the mood by addressing him with “Hey mate, they are made in Adelaide”. The gents had a good laugh and we got on with the game.

Chen Tay's Zingers

What’s your most favourite ground to umpire?

I’m not sure I will be able to beat Bankstown Oval for a long time. But locally, I do like Kingsford Smith South as it’s often a flat deck and a batsman paradise. The curator Duncan Elphick puts the time and effort to ensure it’s a great deck and has specialized skills and experience in wicket preparation.

What’s the most intriguing ground you’ve umpired?

I did the Veterans Over 60’s Championships in Tamworth last year and thought I would be on the lovely turf wickets down there. But the weather gods were against us, and all our games were moved to synthetics around the region. Well, I ended up in a cow paddock in Nemingha with a very narrow strip. It was a very interesting experience. I had to concentrate on the ball and dodge cow pats all afternoon.

Chen Tay with Tim Donahoo at Chatswood Oval

Who were the two captains you admired most for the way they played the game?

Adam Rogers (Tweed First Grade Captain) for his ability to use all players and rotate the bowling attack. He seemed to always be on the front foot of the game and was very positive on the field. He respected the decisions and would ask for clarification regarding close calls.

Mitchell Anderson (Cudgen Second Grade Captain) for his ability to get the most out of a young side. His communication was first class, and he was always accepting and open to conversation to clear up any issues. Great to see a young skipper play the game in great spirit.

Is there any particular game you’ve umpired that stands out above all others?

In probably one of the funniest and most bizarre moments on a cricket field, the batsman skied a ball straight up in the air, the keeper ran towards it and started taking his gloves and pads off. He dropped the catch.

I asked him why did you take your gloves and pads off when you went for the catch and he replied with “I’ve never wicket kept before and I wasn’t sure what to do?”

Who’s been the biggest influence in your involvement in cricket?

I would say the skippers that I have had who gave me a go. I’ve always found that I’ve been very fortunate to have skippers who believed in me more than I believed in myself. From Simmo in my Blackburn North Baptists days, to Darel Viddler (Lennox) and Ben Crawford. (Tintenbar-East Ballina)

These days, it’s probably more my kids. Recently I got to play with my two older boys which was memory I will always cherish. I never imagined it would happen but thanks to the Bangalow Cricket Club for making it happen.

From an umpiring perspective, I would say Claire Polosak, Ben Treloar and Darren Goodger are my biggest influences. Claire and Ben trained me and have always supported me through emails and phone calls. And Darren has provided me opportunities I never thought were possible.

Chen Tay and his two boys

Who was the funniest umpire you’ve had the pleasure to umpire with?

Definitely Graham “Rosey” Rose. He’s always got great “stories” and “lessons” that make it an entertaining afternoon. It’s easy to see why the players and colleagues respect him so much.

Who is your favourite all time cricketer growing up?

Early on, it was Steve Waugh because I loved the way he played his all-rounder role and fought hard in tough situations. But my all-time favourite would be Ricky Pointing. Just loved his aggressive style and have come to admire his cricket brain as I get older. He lives and breathes the game, and you can see why people around him just love him.

Ricky Ponting

Who is your favourite cricket commentator?

Richie Benaud. The voice of summer will never be forgotten and greatly missed.

What do you enjoy most about umpiring?

The challenge to concentrate on the ball and ensure decisions and communication is clear to captains and players.

For me, umpiring is all about leadership and the opportunity to help guys create moments and memories that last a lifetime on the field of play.

Who would you consider the top 2 umpires in the game today?

Marius Erasmas

Richard Kettleborough

Did you have any superstitions?

Not really but since I’ve been tracking dismissals, I’ve noticed most wickets fall on the 5^th delivery or 1^st delivery.

Technology – good or bad for cricket from an umpire’s perspective?

Anything that helps get the right result is good for the game.

What’s most valuable to an umpire?

Concentration. Your ability to stay focused for long periods of play is your superpower. The best umpires develop the skills and make complicated decisions look easy while many of us struggle with the basics.

What’s the best advice you ever received?

You will never please all 22 players but if you focus on getting better with your decisions, you will enjoy your game and the players will respect you regardless of whether they win or lose.

Do you like the modern game and what can the game do to make it better for umpires?

Better training for umpires in how to use the technology. It’s crazy to have the technology and still see mistakes made because we don’t have the skills to understand how the implement the technology.

What advice would you offer a young 20 year old who has the ambition of umpiring Test Cricket?

The best advice I got from Darren Goodger was “give every ball the respect it deserves. Respect the bowler’s ability in creating each delivery and the batman’s skill to play it.”

Chen Tay and Darren Goodger

What are your hobbies?

Reading, writing, and eating.

Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?

The biggest lesson in playing the game and umpiring the game is to “back yourself”. Know who you are, play to your strengths and live by your values. The noise and distractions around you are designed to dilute you so stay in your zone of truth and be willing to expand the game in all areas of your life.