Mel McInnes

Who was Mel McInnes?

Melville James "Mel" McInnes was an Australian cricket Test match umpire.

He umpired 16 Test matches between 1951 and 1959. His first match was between Australia and the West Indies at Adelaide on 22 December to 25 December 1951, won by the West Indies after dismissing Australia for 82 in the first innings. McInnes’ partner in this match was Ron Wright.

McInnes’ first international match was the England against South Australia match in January 1951. He no-balled Doug Wright three balls in succession for overstepping, and this courageous act may have led to his first Test appointment the following year.

His last match – also at Adelaide and with Ron Wright as his partner - was between Australia and England on 30 January to 5 February 1959. This was won by Australia by 10 wickets largely due to 170 by Colin McDonald and 9 wickets to Richie Benaud. McDonald pulled a thigh muscle and had resumed batting with a runner, when a Run out appeal was made at the bowler’s end. McInnes had moved to the same side as the runner to view the action, and after giving McDonald out to the appeal, had to reverse his decision, as the runner was behind him and out of his view.