Temuka and South Canterbury Cricket Scorer Muriel Pennal has seen her talent and dedication to the task rewarded with her appointment as one of the “official scorers” for the Blackcaps versus India ODI to be played at AMI Stadium (Lancaster Park for the oldies, and JADE stadium for the not quite so oldies) in Christchurch on 20th March 2009.
All South Canterbury cricket supporters will be wishing Muriel well and hope that it is the start of many more great ‘International’ scoring experiences.
You can read the article from the Timaru Herald here.
MURIEL PENNAL has scored an international cricketing accolade.
The Temuka woman will be an official scorer when the Black Caps play India in a one-day international matc in Christchurch on March 20.
The honour came as a “delightful surprise” for Pennal, who has been keeping score locally since the 1980s.
“I’m really excited about it,” she said.
Each cricketing season scorers are given the opportunity to apply to score international games being held across the country.
“I’ve applied a few times but this is the first time I have been selected.”
She will work alongside three other official scorers – one on a computer, one doing the electronic scoreboard and two officiating over scorebooks.
“I’m not sure what out of these I will be doing yet but I should find out soon.”
Whatever the task, she is looking forward to it, though it would be a busy day.
“There is a hell of a lot to fill out.”
Pennal, who will turn 60 next year, began scoring in the late ’80s when husband Allan was still playing cricket.
“The first time I went along to watch a game I got handed the scorebook and it took off from there,” she said, with a laugh.
Over the years she has been the scorer for the Temuka Cricket Club, the South Canterbury Cricket team and has presided over a number of regional games.
In 2000 she was recognised with the John Budgen Award for most meritorious performance in her level three scoring exams at the time she was only the second person in the southern hemisphere to pass the grade.
Keeping the score at games was something she thrived on.
“But then I couldn’t exactly tell you why. It is nice meeting everybody and I see it as a contribution.”
While she enjoys her cricketing job, Pennal admits the “gentlemen’s game” isn’t something she enjoys watching in her spare time.
“I just can’t sit down and watch it and keep still. I have to be doing something and I can’t really keep the score of the game if it’s on TV. It’s just not like being there.