Ex-Australian Test umpire Lou Rowan dies

Former Australian Test cricket umpire Lou Rowans has died at the age of 91.

Australia's oldest former Test umpire Lou Rowan has died, aged 91.

Rowan, remembered for being involved in two of Australia's most-controversial Tests, umpired 26 Test matches and cricket's first one day international in his eight-year career.

Most notably, Rowan officiated in the controversial 1970-71 Ashes series in Australia, including the seventh Test at the SCG where England captain Ray Illingworth walked his team from the field after fast bowler John Snow was attacked by a member of the crowd.

At the time, Rowan instructed Illingworth to return his team to the field or face forfeiting the match, before the game continued.

Rowan had earlier warned the quick for intimidatory bowling after Australian tailender Terry Jenner had been hit in the head by a Snow bouncer.

It was one of several run-ins between Rowan and the English team during the series, in which no Australian batsmen were given out lbw in any of the Tests.

Earlier, in his third Test, Rowan was also officiating at the bowler's end when square leg umpire Col Egar no-balled Ian Meckiff for chucking in the 1963-64 series against South Africa.

He later became a voice against alleged chuckers, petitioning for them to be thrown out of the game.

Away from the game, Rowan also worked as a Queensland drug squad detective.


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Source: AAP


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Ex-Australian Test umpire Lou Rowan dies | SBS News