Michael Holding, who was commentating on the Australia-West Indies ICC World Cup 2019 game, said on air, 'I am sorry but the umpiring in this game has been atrocious'. Dean Jones made a suggestion of having three on-field umpires
Nottingham: West Indies pace legend Michael Holding on Thursday (June 6) slammed the umpires for their “atrocious” decisions during the Australia-West Indies match at the ICC World Cup 2019.
Australia held their nerve to clinch a 15-run victory over the Caribbean side at Trent Bridge, but umpiring standards were not up to the mark.
Holding, who was commentating on the game, said on air, “I am sorry but the umpiring in this game has been atrocious."
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"For one, even when I was playing and they were not as strict as they are now, you were allowed one appeal. You don't appeal two, three, four times to the umpire. That is the first thing.
"They are being intimidated (by Australia's appealing), that means they are weak. This has been an atrocious bit of umpiring by both," he added.
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Holding’s remarks came when Sri Lankan umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge wrongly adjudged West Indies captain Jason Holder LBW off Adam Zampa and the batsman successfully used the Decision Review System (DRS) to overturn the on-field call. Holder was at the receiving at twice and on both occasions he was right in using the DRS.
Earlier, opening batsman Chris Gayle too was adjudged LBW by New Zealand umpire Chris Gaffaney and he too carried on batting thanks to the use of technology. Also, Gaffaney failed to spot a big no-ball from Mitchell Starc and the next ball which would have been a free hit, Gayle got out LBW.
Gayle was given out wrongly three times and DRS saved him. Gaffaney had raised his finger for a caught behind appeal against Gayle but replays confirmed that the left-handed batsman had not edged the ball.
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After the match, West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite too pointed out umpiring errors and said it was “frustrating”.
"I don't know if I'll be fined for saying it, but I just think that the umpiring was a bit frustrating," Brathwaite said.
"Even when we were bowling we thought a few balls close to head height were called wides. Obviously three decisions ... as far as I can remember being dodgy. It was frustrating. It sent ripples through the dressing room,” he added.
In Star Sports studio, former Australia batsman Dean Jones called for the introduction of another umpire on the field, behind the non-striker. Later, he tweeted about the same.
Just saying again... another umpire on the ground standing behind the non striker.. he is just there for
No-Balls. Umpires miss up to 6 no balls a match I reckon.
“Just saying again... another umpire on the ground standing behind the non striker.. he is just there for No-Balls. Umpires miss up to 6 no balls a match I reckon (sic),” Jones wrote.
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