Howzat! Veteran cricket umpire on 1000 not out

Stephen Fildes debuted as a junior cricketer in 1978 aged just 12 and on Saturday he umpired his 1000th game to become the first umpire on the Gold Coast to do so.

As an integral part of Cricket Gold Coast for almost 50 years, Fildes, who started umpiring in 2007, says he has seen the game change so much in his 400 senior games as a player and 1000 as an umpire.

He describes his move from player to umpire as natural. “It just happens, the transition from player to umpire for many people who want to stay involved in the game,” Fildes, 57, said.

Highlighting some of his biggest moments as an umpire, nothing went past his debut first grade grand final.

“I don’t think anything could top that feeling being given a first grade grand final,” Fildes said. “I think one of the biggest moments umpiring would have to be when I gave out Josh Nelson out obstructing the field in the 2013/14 grand final.

“He still hasn’t let me live that down actually and likes to remind me when I see him.”

Nelson crossed over the pitch and intercepted the ball being thrown in for a run-out attempt during the grand final against Alberton.

A match Alberton won by 20 runs, with Nelson scoring 35 runs and finishing third leading run scorer for the season.

Fildes umpires all year round. When his southern summer on the Gold Coast ends he heads to England.

“I will be heading away at the end of March and coming back in September,” Fildes said.

“I have been doing years now.”

Fildes also has umpired seven years for Queensland Country Cricket, Australian Country Cricket, the Australian Championships held in Bundaberg in 2013, the National Veteran’s Championships, Over 40s in Brisbane, Over 50s in Adelaide, Over 55’s in Christchurch and National inclusion championships. it for about 11