Precision in umpiring

The Australia, West Indies 2019 ICC World Cup match suffered from a lot of controversial umpiring calls

Umpiring is an integral part of cricket and, perhaps, the only part of the game where the margin of error is absolutely zero. A mistake from one of the officials, during the game, can have a major bearing on the outcome of the match as it can turn the game on its head.

The Australia, West Indies 2019 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup match suffered a similar fate as a lot of controversial umpiring calls were made.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle and captain Jason Holder were both twice given out on the field at Trent Bridge on Thursday but, on both occasions, the decision was overturned by the third umpire.

The Windies were at the wrong side of things once again when standing umpire Chris Gaffaney missed a clear no-ball from pacer Mitchell Starc, the delivery before he got past the defense of Gayle for 21. Had the Kiwi umpire called a no-ball, the next ball would have been a free-hit.

In this day and age where technology is extensively used to ensure such discrepancies are rooted out of the game, it is bizarre to see such occurrences hamper the game.

Former West Indies fast-bowling great Michael Holding termed the decision and the umpiring standard in general as atrocious, in his commentary stint, during the match which did not go down well with the ICC. The governing body, later, sent an email to the commentators and asked them to observe restraint in the remarks.

While there is no doubt about the fact that there must be fairness in criticism but, having said that, the ICC should look towards means to improve the standard of umpiring rather than putting a lid on what people have to have say about it.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2019.

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