Expressindia> Sports
Group Websites
Expressindia
Indian Express
Financial Express
Screen
Loksatta
Channels
Blogs
Astrology
Shopping
Hotels
Tenders
Classifieds
ExpressQnA


MOST READ

Ads by Google



Font Size - -A +A

Burnout the reason for umpiring errors: Ponting

Agencies

Posted online: Saturday , January 12, 2008 at 1208 hrs IST
      

Melbourne, January 12:: Apparently conceding that umpiring blunders marred the Sydney Test, Australian captain Ricky Ponting has called for stretching ICC's 10-member Elite Panel, saying some officials are making errors due to exhaustion.

"I've been talking to the ICC for some time about getting more umpires on the Elite Panel. We talk a lot as players about how much we're playing. But the same applies to umpires," Ponting said.

"The umpires could be in Pakistan last week doing a Test match and they'll be in Perth next week doing us, with only a couple of days in between," he was quoted as saying by Herald Sun.

Revealing that English umpire Mark Benson, who stood in Sydney, had told him he had been on the road for four months, Ponting said, "I'm sure after four months he (Benson) thought he was as good as gold, but he wouldn't know how tired he was until he gets a break."

"Players notice even when they are five per cent off. It can be the difference between playing and nicking a shot, or hitting it cleanly. I'm sure it is the same for these guys."

The ICC is due to review its panel of elite umpires in April.

Benson and his colleague Steve Bucknor were heavily criticised for a series of errors in the second Test, following which the West Indian was replaced by Billy Bowden for the Perth Test.

Up to 10 controversial decisions, along with the racism row involving Harbhajan Singh, turned the game into a simmering contest that Australia won with 10 minutes to spare.

Meanwhile, according to the report, certain quarters in Cricket Australia are in favour of introducing a third on-field umpire to lessen the burden on them.

If approved by the ICC, each umpire would officiate for four hours, instead of six, every day of a Test match.

"It's a bloody good idea because it immediately takes a lot of the pressure off these blokes," a CA source was quoted as saying.

"Benson and Bucknor must have spent 33 hours out there in Sydney. That's a long time to be standing in the field, concentrating on every delivery," the source said.

Ads by Google
Rate this article
 
Post Comment :
Name * Message *
Email ID *
Subject *
TERMS OF USE:
The views represented here are not neccesarily endorsed by www.expressindia.com and its allied websites. All messages will be moderated and no message that has inflammatory, abusive, derogatory language or any language deemed unfit for publication by the editor will be displayed. Though it will be endeavoured that as many messages as possible be displayed, there will be time lag between the submission and publication of the messages. The website reserves the right to publish or reject any message.
I agree to the terms of use.
  • Comments
    Hide Comments
Umpiring
by sudhindra on 2008-01-14 12:20:55.609382+05:30
Ponting has to realise that Umpires work is made easy if players have integrity. If a player walks out as soon as he realises he is out or when a fielder announces if he taken the catch correctly.
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
Ricky no integrity,a POINTing
by Jay on 2008-01-12 19:03:45.105033+05:30
Hey Ricky but how does that explain all decisions against India?? Dont tell they were burnt out only selectively. Please dont ever in future talk about your integrity??
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
Little Ricky Ponting, aka Jack Horner
by Cogito_ergo... on 2008-01-12 16:16:52.140117+05:30
Hey Ponting, ... I put it to you that you had entered into a pre-match compact with Bucknor, Benson, et al for winning at any cost. I put it to you that Bucknor et al were bought out, and that you too had some financial interest (apart from pride) in winning at any cost. You won the match - the Boxing Day cake - and you have "pulled out a plum"; and you are abandoning your fellow conspirators and you are saying "What a good boy am I!"
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
Ponting and Burnouts
by Joseph Rajendran on 2008-01-12 16:09:26.370055+05:30
Burnuts eh? Wise Mr. Ponting dont you know the old English saying that children must be seen and not heard.. If you think that saying is passe.. what with modern psychology and such stuff...I'd say should still apply to relics...what a time warp
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
Ponting and umpire's overburning
by jk singh on 2008-01-12 15:32:42.573166+05:30
Mr. Ponting..I can understand about the umpire's overburning situation. However, what do you say about captains like you who play on this situation and over appeal to get the tilt on their direction. You had not taken the catch but you claimed. Clarke had grounded the catch but you said it was clean. If cheaters like you and Clark are around there will always be so much of problems for umpires
Reply | Forword | Report Abuse
Shaadi Matrimonials Get Marriage Proposals by Email EVERYDAY!
Register FREE on Naukri.com. 200000+ Hot Job Openings!
Book International flights & get 10000 Money Back
Flowers & Gifts
Send flowers & Gifts
Express Classifieds Post and view free classifieds ad
Find Love, Romance & friends
Featured Ads
© 2008 Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map