WELL the talking point from last week was the dismissal of Ben Stokes, being given out obstructing the field.

Was it wilful or was he defending himself from being injured?

The TV replay gave the third umpire enough evidence to give him out, but what would the ordinary grassroots umpire have done. No TV replay, let alone slow motion replay.

The general consensus of my colleagues was that they would probably have given him not out as in real time it looked like he may be trying to avoid being hit and yet if we had the slow replay we may have gone with the umpires of the day as he struck his hand out to a ball that would probably have hit the wickets. The opposition are entitled to appeal and did so.

How nice it would have been to have seen captain Steve Smith withdraw the appeal in those circumstances.

It would have done a lot to show the true spirit of cricket and set the tone for the way he intended to play the game in the future.

No doubt the boos that greeted him and Mitchell Starc at Old Trafford today might not have been there if he had.

Some have asked me why out “obstructing the field” and not “handled the ball”.

Well the law was changed this year and you can only be out handled the ball if doing so in playing at the ball.

Anything else is now classed as obstructing the field.

As this is the last article for the season, then as promised in a previous article, below are dates for your diary if you decide to give umpiring or scoring a go.

There is a Level One umpiring course at Astley Bridge Cc starting January 12, 2016 for eight weeks starting at 7.30pm till 9.30pm

Introduction to scoring course at Astley Bridge CC March 15th 7.30 to 9.30pm

Level One scorers course at Astley Bridge CC March 22nd for 4 Tuesdays 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

If you require further information or to book a place on any of these courses then please contact David Heap on 07821154389 or myself on 07800956904 .

The last games were played over the weekend and another season put to bed.

Decisions will have been made as to continue playing, umpiring, scoring or not.Winter well and I look forward to next season when for most of us we will have a new set up, new teams, new colleagues and a fresh start for all.