WHO would be a cricket umpire? They are never thanked and are rarely appreciated but turn up week in, week out to ensure games can go ahead – but like all humans, they are prone to the odd error.

But unlike most other sports, the players don’t get too carried away when what they perceive to be a poor decision goes against them.

Okay, they may mutter under their breath as the finger goes up and continue muttering as they walk off – but that is as far as the protest goes at all levels of the game.

I witnessed the Rishton v Colne Lancashire League game on Sunday. Rishton felt aggrieved with a number of decisions as they were shot out for just 57.

And, to be honest, they probably had a point with some of the calls against them. In fact, a couple of Colne fielders seemed to agree that their opponents had a point judging by the comments they made in the field as the timbers were tumbling.

But there was no hoo-har at the end. The Rishton players applauded Colne off. They didn’t stamp their feet and complain. The decisions have been made and you have to accept it.

Sometimes decisions do go for you. Sometimes they don’t. That’s life.

The players are all mature enough to accept that. It is no way like the sorry scenes witnessed by football fans up and down the country as players contest every call.

Cristiano Ronaldo is soon to leave these shores. A great footballer but I won’t miss him and his antics. If Ronaldo was a cricketer playing in Sunday’s game I can only imagine that he would have behaved like a spoiled toddler with bad toothache who had lost his teddy.

And the Chelsea footballers who chased and threatened the referee after being beaten by Barcelona...well, they are obviously well drilled specimens of what is wrong with sport.

Cricket – and both codes of rugby – uphold the belief that the officials are in charge. Yes, they may get it wrong sometimes. But the game will not exist without them.

A couple of the decisions on Sunday were on the odd side of peculiar. But the players got over it and will share and laugh and a joke with the umpires next time they run into them.

That’s the way cricket is, and any player crossing that line should be dealt with. But I can’t see that disciplinary committee being over-worked.

* I THINK I may be carrying come sort of curse around - and, unless I am feeling paranoia, I suspect that certain professionals are not overly happy to see me turn up at their games.

Brendan Nash can barely get out of single figures when East Lancs are a featured game - and Rishton’s Aaron Heal scores runs and takes wickets when there is no newspaper presence.

So Phil Hayes at Haslingden and Andrew Payne at Rawtenstall, beware ... I am heading to Bent Gate.