A LEADING Worcester-based cricket official believes plans to raise the standards of the game in the Midlands are in danger of collapsing as early as next summer because of a lack of umpires to officiate in matches at club and league level.

The concern has been expressed by Bill Jones, public relations officer for the Midland Counties Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association.

He says: "The England and Wales Cricket Board have encouraged the setting up of a regional pyramid system of league competitions in order to enhance the quality of competitive play.

"But the whole concept could fall apart very quickly because there are now no longer enough qualified match officials. Experienced umpires are walking away from the game and there are far too few recruits prepared to take on what has become an increasingly challenging job.

"And, sad to say, the situation has been brought about by the players and clubs themselves.

"Worsening standards of on-the-field behaviour, including assaults on umpires, have made the task unbearable for many people - most of whom took up the white coat because of their love for the game.

"Clubs, too, pay scant regard to the requirements of umpires when it comes to the provision of even the most basic of facilities. After a seven or eight hour stint out in the middle umpires should not be crammed into a broom cupboard without the chance of being able to have a wash, let alone a shower.

"Already the Warwickshire League had to play its 2001 fixtures without the implementation of new laws because not enough umpires had undergone training.

"Even the Birmingham League, at the top of the West Midlands' pyramid, could not provide umpires for second XI games, and there were some occasions when first team matched had only one official.

"As the Midland Counties Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association, we undertake the training of candidates, but efforts to recruit are leading with an alarmingly poor response. It seems players prefer to go on trying to recapture their youth with bat and ball rather than put something much more useful back into the sport.

"But it really is no wonder when each week they see experienced, trained and knowledgeable umpires treated with disdain and no respect whatsoever by players who ought to both know better and be grateful for the umpires' attendance.

"As umpires we see the game from close quarters every week and at different venues and standards. We can identify the difficulties and problems that are here now and are about to explode within the game at all levels.

"We have warned each of the local county boards and have urged them to come together to take immediate action to review the state of the game across the Midlands. Another season's delay maybe too long to wait.

"The slow death of Sunday cricket is another outward indication of the malaise that inflicts the game.

"The disappearance of umpires would be fatal, and we can no longer guaranty the provision of officials unless the current state of play is declared closed and a fresh guard is taken."