From: 9063iyerm@vms.csd.mu.edu (Murali Iyer)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket
Subject: The way the cookie crumbles - Umpiring decisions
Date: 31 Dec 1992 15:35:25 GMT
Organization: Marquette University - Computer Services
Reply-To: 9063iyerm@vms.csd.mu.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: vmsa.csd.mu.edu

In article <pieter.725778559@ford>, pieter@ford.ee.up.ac.za (Pieter Vermeulen) writes:

>Adding more spice:  It was generally agreed that SRT was very unlucky
>to be given out in the second innings, since he did not touch the ball
>that was caught (although it was pure luck that he did not). 

As Pieter has pointed out later in this article, the umpiring decisions have
somewhat evened out the scores. Still, the Indians feel that a few errors
cost them a couple of games. But Bucknor's umpiring has never been questioned,
and in fact the reports I read have all praised him for the good decisions he
handed down in the tests. However, Bucknor's ego has been blamed for his
refusal to call for help from the TV umpire in Rhodes' runout incident. Bucknor
had gone on record before the test that he disliked the idea of the third
umpire. Lloyd in his capacity as adjudicator brought Bucknor to the press
conference he addressed after the incident, and Bucknor admitted he had made 
a mistake. Both lloyd and Bucknor have been appreciated for their honesty and
openness. 

>He left the field in tears.... so I guess he did feel a bit responsible.  And
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I know there are people out there who might say "Welcome to the wrold, young
lad" at this display by Sachin Tendulkar, but I feel it shows the seriousness
of SRT's approach to the game. He has never been accused of given less than
100%. Contrarily, he has always been willing to do more than his share of the
work. Perhaps he is the only youngster who is really working hard at improving
his allround abilities. Kumble is another man who has been striving to rise
above mediocrity, but he has not been blessed with the natural gift SRT
possesses. Isn't it ironical that such a natural player as SRT works so hard,
whereas lesser men are taking their places for granted? 

>in the first innings Azharuddin was dropped on 8 and then given out on
>60 caught behind of a ball that touched his shirt and not his bat
>(again no fault of his though). And Kirsten was given out caught
>behind by More off Raju and he didn't touch the ball by a mile either.
>(He did give it his best try, but then the man don't see that well
>these days. He doesn't even know where the popping crease is...) 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Good one, Pieter. 

>
>It is sad that so much still depends on the opinions of umpires, but
>that is part of cricket and I guess it evens out over most players
>careers. It is good to see technology taking the guesswork out of
>decisions such as runouts and stumpings. (This test also saw the first
>trial by TV for a stumping.)

While the good and bad decisions may even out over a player's career, it might
make or break a player's career as captain. Azhar may have realised this now,
after having drawn a test which they were clearly in control of, and losing the
latest after being handed a couple of dubious decisions at critical junctures.
Again, this is not the excuse for having lost, but if I've learnt something
about the game in all these years, it is that we tend to blame a few factors
for our failure. And umpiring decisions happen to be the favorite target. :--)

>
>Pieter

-Murali

p.s: I saw a picture of Kapil, Kirsten and Manjrekar arguing, with the umpire
in the middle, about Kapil's Mankading kirsten. Kapil is angrily pointing out
to Kirsten that he had warned him "Three times", Manjrekar is spreading his
arms and shrugging, apparently saying "So what's wrong in running you out like
this?" to Kirsten, and Kirsten is facing Kapil, obviously not happy.  Kapil is
so angry that he has bared his teeth while speaking to Kirsten. People who have
seen Kapil will know what a picture it makes. The umpire, in the midst of all
this, is trying to tell Kirsten that he is out and he should move on. Kirsten
is reported to have gone into the dressing via the Indian dressing room,
passing a few choice words to all Indians around. :--) 

Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket