Difficult advice

 I need some help on a delicate issue that occured on tues.

I was playing a purely social 4 ball, with 3 members of my cricket team.

I have known all 3 for a number of years and probably have about 10 rounds a year with them aswell as seeing them every sat throughout the summer at our cricket matches.

One of the group, who is an ex captain and well respected senior member of the team and also senior lecturer at a university, kicked his ball probably 3 feet from behind a bush after a wayward tee shot.

He obviously didnt know that i saw him do it as he played on as if nothing had happened.

I was so shocked that i didnt know what to say as i have never exerienced this before, and therefore said nothing during the round.

I have told one of the others about it this morning, who commented on how often the culprit finds his ball deep in the rough, and can get a wood at it !!!

There has obviously been suspicions before but now i know he cheats for a fact.

My question is

What do i do or say to the culprit bearing in mind there was no money or prizes involved so he was only cheating himself, and the fact that before this i respected him as a sporting friend ?

Any help would be appreciated, especially from anyone who has dealt with the same issue.

Tim

You should make sure he knows you know, but how is not easy! Especially if he has maintained a reasonable handicap due to his dishonesty.

Perhaps something like "You know that if we were playing for money or a competition, you would have to take a penalty for that." in a light-hearted manner the next time he does it.

Depends how well you know him.

I'd mention it in someway to fellow players at least 90% of the time.  The 10% is if they are bigger then me or mean looking

Tim, I feel you have missed your opportunity to settle the matter. I'm afraid you will just have to wait till the next time it happens and merely mention that as in "Goldfinger" we play strict rules.

Tim,

 I would have said something jokey about it at the time just so he knew you knew.

alternatively, next time, follow him over towards hi ball in an effort to help him look for it. Then stay very close to him watching him take his next shot. Then see if he does it!

I've played with someone who does exactly the same. If we're not playing for money then I'm not too bothered as he's only cheating himself. If we're playing for money though I'll make sure to help him look for every wayward shot and watch what he does all the time

I would say at the time when he anounces his score. He is obviously a complete pillock and does not have sporting attitude.

What are you afraid of, if he is a good friend then you should be able to say anything to him without offence.

Ask him what the fastest land mammal is...

Dave CAC handed Geordie.

thanks everyone

I know him very well, so i will bring it up next time we have a round together. Hopefully i will see him do something similar again and that will be the time.

Its a shame though, it will affect how i feel about playing with him.

Maybe i will run him out a couple of times that we bat together later in the summer !!

When he gives his score for the hole ask him if it includes kicking it out from under the bush? If he asks, what do you mean by that," just say you're joking. He'll know you're not...