Former Test umpire AM Mamsa dead

AM Mamsa, the former Indian Test umpire, died after a prolonged illness on the morning of November 14. Mamsa, 86, officiated in six Tests between 1964 and 1973, apart from 80 first-class games.

While working for the Mumbai Cricket Association he trained several umpires who later officiated in Tests. Completely wedded to the game, Mamsa remained a bachelor and continued to umpire in the local and club level matches even after his retirement. Known to be a strict disciplinarian on and off the field, Mamsa was well respected by former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar.

Speaking to Indo Asian News Service, Piloo Reporter, another former Test umpire who has stood in several matches with Mamsa in the 1970s, said, "He was totally different from today's breed of umpires in the sense that he rarely indulged in friendly banter with either players or his colleagues in the field. He used to insist on upcoming umpires like me being well-versed with the laws of the game. 'Otherwise the laws will pinch you', he used to say."

Mamsa's last Test was during England's tour in 1972-73 at Madras, a game that was mired in controversy. India were set to chase 86 in the final innings when Ajit Wadekar edged Chris Old to Tony Greig, who stooped low, held the ball and claimed a catch. Seeing Mamsa unmoved, Greig ran all the way from first slip to where Mamsa stood and, reportedly, uttered some foul verbals. Alan Knott, the wicketkeeper, threw down his gloves and Barry Wood, charged from gully.

Mamsa walked across to Nagendra, the square-leg umpire, reassessed the situation and gave it out. Raju Bharatan, the veteran Indian cricket writer, wrote, " I have viewed many an ugly on-field happening since, but can recall nothing so frightening as this". Clive Taylor, the English journalist covering the tour, felt that that English players "behaved like street-corner bullies".