HE'S umpired in Sydney in matches involving some big names in cricket, and now Peter Friend is taking his counter to the middle in Port Macquarie. Friend is now umpiring grade matches in the Hastings River District Cricket Association.
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He gave Port News sports reporter Matt McLennan some insights into the game at a local and higher level.
Can you outline some of your extensive umpiring experience in the Sydney Shires competition? I'm a past president and founding member of the Sydney Shires Cricket Umpires Association. I umpired 254 games in that competition, 165 of them in first grade.
I understand some ex-internationals have played in that competition. Who are some of the names that come to mind? Zimbabwe Test players Travis Friend and Vusi Sibanda, along with England Test leg spinner Chris Schofield and Pakistani Test off spinner Arshad Khan. Then there's former NSW Sheffield Shield players Richard Chee Quee, Don Nash and Phil Marks.
It must be a role and sport you enjoy, given you're a past president of the Sydney Umpires Association? What is involved with that role? Leadership of a group of very skilled professionals who developed the Association into a position where it is recognised as a serious administrative unit within Sydney cricket.
What brings you to the Hastings? I have retired after 25 years of self-employment and am a bit fed up with the craziness of the city.
How are you finding cricket in Port Macquarie? The standard of bowling is quite impressive but much as is the case in Sydney grade cricket, the standard of batting does not rate so highly.
Are you a past player? When I was young enough to play I worked a regular 10 week shift pattern that took over seven of the 10 weekends, so it was impossible to commit to the game. Children then came along. One of my sons played representative cricket up to the level of Green Shield and Emerging Blues. I also coached a number of junior teams.
Do you watch it on the telly much? Yes
What do you make of our national side's failings on slow pitches of the Middle East? It was somewhat predictable given the way that Pakistani cricket is under-rated.
Who's your tip for the ODI World Cup? New Zealand and Pakistan