Summer time means long road trips, hot weather, and hundreds of flies for John De Lyall.
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But he wouldn't have it any other way.
A regular sight standing at the end of cricket pitches in Dubbo for the past 15 years, De Lyall was this week promoted to the NSW Country Umpire Representative Panel for the 2019/20 season.
Members of the panel will umpire in Country Cricket NSW representative programs, underage State Challenges and the Plan B Regional T20 Bash, while they will also be invited to officiate first grade matches in NSW Premier Cricket.
De Lyall joins Bathurst's Graeme Glazebrook as the second Western Zone umpire on the panel.
"It's great. I'm really happy," De Lyall said after hearing the news.
"It helps the west's representation, which is great to see."
De Lyall played the game in Dubbo until his mid-40s before being encouraged to take up umpiring by Graham Dyball.
Since then he's gone on to officiate more than 400 matches at grounds across the state.
"The old saying is that you've got the best seat in the house but I love going to the carnivals and the camaraderie with the other umpires from all backgrounds," he said.
"I like that side of it."
The work he's done hasn't gone unnoticed, with Executive Officer of the NSW Cricket Umpires' and Scorers' Association, and State Umpire Manager, Darren Goodger saying the call-up to the country panel a deserved one/
"John is a highly respected person and umpire," Goodger said.
"A great team person who is recognised for his consistent decision-making, excellent knowledge and application of laws and playing conditions, his ability to manage a cricket match with common sense, strength and integrity.
"He thoroughly deserves (this) opportunity."
While it's a real achievement for De Lyall, he hopes it will show others in Dubbo and surrounding areas there is a real pathway for regional umpires.
Umpire numbers in Dubbo are at a worrying point in the lead-up to the 2019/20 season, but there are hopes seminars in the coming months will help boost that.
"If you're an average fine-leg player like I was then umpiring is as close to the top action as you'll get," De Lyall laughed.
The representative umpiring schedule will be confirmed in the coming months, but De Lyall is already down to umpire in the NSW Premier Cricket competition in February and there he will undergo assessment by the Sydney Umpire's Panel.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
