GAMES have been interrupted for many reasons.

Some are as unusual as a dog running on to the field then running away from the people trying to catch it or the sun reflecting on a car windscreen and players having to wait until the car was moved or a towel put over it.

And there have been two firsts for me. I had to ask a spectator to cover up his watch as the sunlight was reflecting off it, and a club's security light came on and was in the batsman’s line of sight.

The bowler who was nearest to the clubhouse ran off to let someone know, but unfortunately no one at the club knew how to switch it off.

He then decided to take action himself and climbed onto the bins and reached up to try to alter the angle of the light.

After two attempts he managed to deflect the light away from the batsman’s eyes and play could continue.

There was also an incident, reported by a colleague, of a dog picking up the ball at a T20 game.

The fielder was in a bit of a dilemma as if he threw the ball back to the keeper the dog would chase it thinking it was a game.

A new ball had to be sent for until the original ball was retrieved and play could carry on.

Talking of T20s, I was informed of a first in timing a batsman out.

In T20s, a batsman has only one and a half minutes to be ready to face the next ball.

The new batsman came out. He spoke to his fellow batsman, did a few stretching exercises and then found he was on his way back to the pavilion, timed out.

He was not very happy, especially as he was the club's professional, but those are the rules of the competition.

Needless to say this was not in the Bolton League but it does show the need to be familiar with the rules of the playing conditions.

Normally a batsman has three minutes to be ready to face the next ball or his colleague be ready if the incoming batsman is not the striker.

I remember one incident when a batsman came on to the field and then ran off as had left an item of equipment behind.

The fielding side appealed but only two minutes had elapsed so I said not out.

The batsman duly arrived at the crease and no further appeal came.

The fact he was now over the three minutes went undetected by the fielders. This batsman went on to score 140, winning the game for his team.