FORMER Lavington cricketer Keiran Knight will have the best seat in the house when Sydney Thunder take on Melbourne Stars in Tuesday’s Border Bash at Lavington Oval.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Knight, who has been officiating in Sydney Premier Cricket for the past three seasons, said he was shocked to be given the umpiring appointment.
“I was surprised as I thought they would be Cricket Australia appointments,” Knight said.
“All I could do was hope and I was lucky enough to get a gig.
“Although it’s a practice match, you don’t get to see the big boys in action up close too often.
“You really have to watch the ball because they give it a real whack.
“I saw Benny Rohrer make 200 in a one-dayer earlier this year and it was magic to watch.”
While Knight was surprised to be given the match with umpire Tony Wilds, the former all-rounder has had to earn it.
He has travelled from Jindera to Sydney for the past three years after etching out a reputation in Cricket Albury-Wodonga ranks for five seasons.
“I travel up most Friday afternoons and drive back on Saturday or Sunday night,” Knight said.
“You get to Gundagai and the last hour or so can drag on a bit but the cricket is usually on the radio and it’s not too bad.”
Knight took charge of three WBBL matches last season as well as the Australian Under 17 Cricket Championships.
He admitted he only took up umpiring due to the persistence of long-time official Don Dennis.
“I stopped playing and missed being out in the middle,” he said.
“Old Donny Dennis harped and harped at me.
“Through an off-season he kept at me and finally got me along to a meeting.
“They said all I needed to do was hold a hat, count to six and say not out.”
Knight, 44, isn’t the only CAW umpire making the grade with Wayne Allen also officiating in Sydney.
He will take centre stage in the Plan Regional Bash finals at the SCG this weekend.
“The whole standard of umpiring here has improved 10-fold through getting experience at a higher level,” he said.