Fred Goodall

Who is Fred Goodall?

Frederick Robert Goodall, ONZM ED, is a former international cricket umpire from New Zealand who officiated in 24 Tests and 15 one-day internationals between 1965 and 1988. His debut as One Day International umpire was at Christchurch in February 1973, in the first one-day cricket match played in New Zealand; he made his Test debut eight years earlier, also in Christchurch.

One of the most notorious matches involving Fred Goodall was the Second Test between New Zealand and West Indies at Christchurch's Lancaster Park in February 1980. Goodall had previously turned down several appeals against New Zealand batsmen, claiming unsubstantial evidence. So incensed with what the tourists considered poor umpiring, the West Indies refused to emerge from their dressing room after the tea break on Day 3, unless Goodall was immediately replaced. After a delay of twelve minutes, organisers managed to coax the tourists back onto the field for a spiteful third session. Goodall enjoyed the support of match organisers in New Zealand, and continued his role in the Test. This resulted in an even more spiteful fourth day, in which Goodall was, at one stage, shoulder-charged by bowler Colin Croft.