Sydney Riot of 1879

Date: February 8, 1879 • Location: Paddington, Australia

Angered by a controversial umpiring decision, cricket spectators rioted and attacked the England team during a match in Sydney, Australia.

In cricket, an umpire is a person who has the authority to make decisions about events on the cricket field according to the Laws of Cricket. Besides making decisions about legality of delivery, appeals for wickets and general conduct of the game in a legal manner, the umpire also keeps a record of the deliveries and announces the completion of an over.