I advised the Bowler that he was starting the last over of his allocation.

He said he had something to tell me. It was that he only required three more wickets to reach the figure of 1000 which would be a record at his only club.

A nice little LBW would be a great help and £20 pounds was on offer. We of course smiled and he went back to his mark. The first ball was missed by the batsman and it hit him on the pad. Everyone on his team appealed and a couple on the boundary even had their hands in the air just in case I did not hear them. I was giving the head a little shake before saying" Not Out." No protest as he knew it was outside off stump. On his way back he stopped and asked if I was listening. Replied "yes", and he said he was having to put it up to £40. The non-striking batsman even had to join in the laughter. Am I the only umpire who has resorted to prayer? I was very relieved to say that my prayers were answered and the last five balls did not hit the pads Either way I was on a hiding to nothing and the bowler had to wait for another game before he reached his record.