Errant umpires
Why is it that when Australian players appeal for lbw or caught behind, the finger goes up without a second thought and when Bangladeshi cricketers appeal, the umpires are unmoved. Besides playing poorly, I believe there were several matches which Bangladesh lost due to poor umpiring. Take for example Ashoka De Silva. I think he is the worst umpire in cricketing history.
In 2007 when India toured Bangladesh after the World Cup, Bangladesh lost the first match entirely because an lbw decision was not given by him and Dhoni remained not out until the end of the match. Even a blind man could have made the correct decision that day. Look at Steve Bucknor. Even after that humiliating incident in Australia, he is still umpiring. Why is it that umpires never get punished for making wrong decisions? Players get punished for bowling actions, running on the pitch, slow over rate and so on. During the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on 27 Dec 08, when Sri Lanka were batting first, several obvious lbw decisions were turned down which would have been given to the stronger team. Why this indifference? Cricket is just not fun watching anymore. I believe the ICC should introduce fines and suspension for umpires.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments