30 JUNE 1939, Page 18

Science for the M.C.C.

It frequently happens in a cricket match, as in the latest Test, that batsmen appeal against the light ; and the decision is left to the bare judgement of two fallible umpires. Now the exact strength of light may be discovered rapidly and easily by a scientific instrument. It would be at least interest- ing if the M.C.C. would test the possibility of using such a means of settling what is often a thorny point. Cricketers in general are very loyal to umpires (who are indeed an admirable race) in all their judgements, but more criticism is aroused by this question of bad light than by any other. Let us be told with scientific exactitude just how low an intensity of light should be considered a " bad light."