Having taken professional advice, it would appear that Mr.Hill's dismissal of London Saints' Loomes in their 2nd Innings last Sunday was illegal, since the bails blew off the wicket whilst the ball was in the air and were not on the stumps when it hit the wicket.

Law 23 Section 3b 'Either umpire shall call and signal dead ball' if (iv) 'one or both bails fall from the striker's wicket before he (the batsman) has had the opportunity of playing the ball.

Conversely, if the non-striker's wicket is broken at the point of delivery by the bowler or some act of nature, this does not affect the legality of the delivery and should not be called 'dead ball' - ref. West XI v.Acme 13/8/06.