A few minutes with John Ward

John Ward started officiating in Victorian Premier Cricket in season 1996/97.

He stood in 232 Premier Matches, 196 in 1st XI, and stood in a further 233

Cricket Australia matches, including 1 Test, 11 ODIs, 79 Sheffield Shield and

142 other First Class/List A Matches. He umpired 2 Sheffield Shield Finals and

3 First XI Grand Finals. John travelled to Christchurch on Victoria's New Zealand

Umpire exchange, he won the Jim Phillips 1st XI Umpiring Award twice and he

won the VCAUSA's Robin Bailhache Award in 2019.

VCAUSA
Thanks John for spending some time with us. We’ll chat shortly about

your Umpiring career, but just before we do that, can you please tell us

a little bit about your life growing up.

John

I grew up in the suburb of Forest Hill. We lived in a Court with 16 houses

and 30 kids. We hardly spent any time indoors and it was footy in winter and cricket in summer.
I was more footballer than cricketer and have fond memories of my footy career at the Forest Hill Football Club. I played cricket at Forest Hill, Park Orchards & Chirnside Park Cricket Clubs.

2nd XI was as high as I got. A reliable fielder, capable keeper and
impatient batter I was just happy to be playing with mates and enjoyed the social side more than anything.

VCAUSA
From your playing days, what was your best performance?

John

My highest score was 90 no for Park Orchards 3rds, I mopped up a couple of tails for the odd 5 for and never played a finals match. Playing an unregistered player cruelled our chances of a flag in the lower XI one year. I remember feigning devastation but was secretly pleased this released me for a football practice match.

VCAUSA
So what led you to Umpiring?

John

I was Captain of Chirnside Park 2nds and at the end of the season clubs

that were not participating in finals were asked to provide responsible

people to umpire the lower grades. My name was submitted and the $50

sounded good (everyone has their price). I really enjoyed it! Got some

good feedback and the rest is history. Amazing what a bit of encouragement

can lead to.

VCAUSA
Where did you start your Umpiring Career?

John

I started locally in the Ringwood District Cricket Association (2 years)
Realising I knew about 10% of the laws I enrolled in the VCA Winter Classes

and sat the exam. I was invited to join the Victorian Sub District Cricket

Association and jumped at the chance to umpire on turf pitches.

I particularly enjoyed umpiring on VFA football grounds at Preston, Box Hill, Camberwell, Coburg just to name a few.

Umpiring former 1st class and international players was exciting. Whiteside, Ratnayake and Jeff Moss put me through the wringer and I loved it.

VCAUSA
When did you make the move to umpire with CV, do you remember your first match?

John

After a couple of seasons Lenny King invited me over to the VCA. After a season and a half I was selected in the 1st XI St Kilda v Prahran at Toorak Park with Merv Day.
Prahran caused an upset in a dramatic day and I was hooked. I remember having a flat tyre on the way to the ground and thanking God I’d left myself plenty of time.
Another highlight early on was Carlton v Footscray at Princes Park. I was at the bowlers end Merv Hughes was the non striker and Abdul Qadir was the bowler. I remember thinking I don’t believe this!
Without doubt one of the greatest games I was involved in was a 1st XI Grand Final between Dandenong and Frankston at Melbourne Uni. Dandenong won on 1st innings after a substantial 9th wicket stand. Frankston then declared their 2nd innings about 120 in front. They had Dandenong 9 down 20 runs short with about 8 overs remaining. Dandenong eventually hung on but not without some close shaves. Catches and run outs were squandered in what was an exceptional game of cricket.

VCAUSA
When did you start at CA Level? Do you remember your 1st List A/1st Class

Match and how many CA Matches did you umpire in total?

John

2004 was the year I made my 1st Class debut. It was Victoria v India at

the MCG with Richard Patterson. I’d done some ING domestic One Day Cup

games prior to that. They were telecast so I was fairly used to higher

profile games. I wasn’t that nervous because I was confident I belonged

and I felt I’d done a long apprenticeship and was well prepared.

Excited more than nervous.

VCAUSA
From your CA Matches, what have been some of your Umpiring highlights?

Who were some of the best Players you have umpired and what’s the

best ground to Umpire at?

John

Umpiring 2 Sheffield Shield finals has been my personal highlight. 5 days of intense “sheep station” cricket really tests your routines and if they stack up it is very satisfying.
I worked out the other day that I’ve umpired over 100 Australian Test players. The best batters being Ponting, Smith and M.Hussey. Pace bowlers Johnson, Harris and Gillespie. Spinners MacGill, Lyon and Hauritz (I only umpired Warne in T20). The best wicket keeper I ever umpired did not play Test Cricket, that being Darren Berry.

I don’t really have a favourite ground, all the main venues have their own special identity and history. I guess if I was really pressed it would be out of Adelaide Oval and the MCG.
Most importantly the best umpires I have umpired with are Simon Fry (SA) and Mick Martell (WA). We came through the system together and our careers ran parallel.

VCAUSA
What do you plan to do (or already do) outside of cricket?

John
My wife Fiona and I are very keen birders. We love travelling

to photograph and observe birds in their natural environment.

It’s a great hobby and we have a lot of fun together.
Even though my on field days are over I would like to remain

involved in some capacity. What that looks like in these

difficult times is hard to predict.

VCAUSA
Is there any advice you’d give to up and coming Umpires now?

John

My advice would be don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Be patient,

adopt a team first approach and appreciate every stage

of your career.

VCAUSA

Thanks for your time today John. It's very much appreciated, and a great pleasure to catch up again. Good luck in your future and go well.