Durham assistant coach Alan Walker stood in as square leg umpire for an over during his side’s County Championship clash against Lancashire, with designated official Michael Gough off the field for a toilet break.
Walker’s unexpected entrance came after 14 overs of Lancashire’s first innings. Gough, who has officiated in over 200 international games, jogged from the field, replaced at square leg by Walker, his former Durham teammate, for one over.
Wearing a white gilet over his Durham tracksuit, Walker was not called upon to make any decisions, but did make sure to jog over to square leg on the other side when the batter on strike became a left-hander.
It is not unheard of for a member of the coaching staff to fill in for when an umpire becomes unavailable, with Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, stepping in during a 2021 County Championship clash against Northamptonshire when Russell Warren fell ill. The Laws of Cricket state that, in such situations, a replacement ‘official’ will only serve as the striker’s end umpire, rather than at the non-striker’s end where caught behind and lbw decisions are made.
Walker was only required for one over, with Gough merely needing a quick trip to the bathroom, and returning to take up his position quickly.
That's a new one.
— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) September 9, 2024
Durham coach Alan Walker finds himself filling in as square leg umpire against Lancashire.
Perfect form. Perfect technique. pic.twitter.com/BS30iT27fw
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