LIves in Cricket No 31 - Walter Robins

113 request was refused although the England captain did call for a glass of water and a salt tablet for the suffering batsman. Alexander then went over to the square-leg umpire who conferred with the other umpire and the designated runner, Hunte, who had come on to the field was waved away. The game continued to a storm of booing and catcalls and some members of the press, sensing a front-page story, left their seats and made their way to the pavilion. Until he had the opportunity to discuss the incident with May at the end of play, Robbie had no intention of facing a barrage of questions from reporters and according to Cowdrey: ‘He instructed the twelfth man to inform them that he could not be found and locked himself in the dressing-room lavatory.’ Kanhai was soon out afterwards and the match ended with West Indies 55 runs short of victory and still four wickets in hand. Dismay and ill-feeling about May’s refusal to allow Kanhai a runner continued for another half-hour after the players had left the field. After talking it over with Robbie, the England captain realised that Kanhai’s cramp came under the heading of ‘injury or illness’ and that his consent to a runner was not required. From the start of the tour, Robbie had worked hard to know and help the Press corps and had earned their trust. He went over to the press box and explained that May had realized, on coming off the field, that his interpretation of the Law was at fault and that he had apologised to Kanhai and Alexander. The MCC side which toured West Indies in 1959/60 winning the Test series 1-0. Standing (l to r): R.W.V.Robins (manager), K.F.Barrington, T.Greenhough, G.Pullar, A.E.Moss, R.Illingworth, D.A.Allen, K.V.Andrew (wk), R.Swetman (wk). Seated: E.R.Dexter, F.S.Trueman, M.C.Cowdrey, P.B.H.May (capt), J.B.Statham, M.J.K.Smith, R.Subba Row. Tour Manager and Law 26