Umpire Tucker’s wrong call creates can of worms
The controversy surrounding Australian umpire Tucker’s wrong no ball call when Nuwan Pradeep had well and truly clean bowled Alex Hales when on 58 in England’s second innings of the third Test at Lords, and the request for Sri Lanka to take off the national flag from the Lord’s balcony, have been two bad calls. For one, Tucker’s inability to comprehend that Pradeep’s foot was behind the line on first impact does go to raise serious concerns as to the compatibility of neutral umpires.
Wrong calls by umpires have become a continuing worrying trend that has affected the results of matches while causing heartburn to the affected teams. In fact, the problem has also led to the ICC anti corruption unit taking a closer look at umpires which led to the banning of several umpires in 2012. That was when the ICC and the cricket boards of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh agreed not to appoint any of the umpires named in the sting operation, recently conducted by India TV following allegations that the umpires had agreed to accept money to give decisions favouring certain players. The sting named six umpires: Nadir Shah (Bangladesh), Nadeem Ghauri and Anis Siddiqui (Pakistan), and Sagara Gallage, Maurice Winston Zilwa and Gamini Dissanayake (Sri Lanka).
Hales went on to score 94 as Sri Lanka was set 362 to win batting out 12 overs for 32 for no loss on the fourth day. Sri Lanka being asked by the Lords authorities to take off the national flag from the balcony which was seen as a retort in a Sri Lankan show of strength to the Tucker episode also saw Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President, Thilanga Sumathipala voice his displeasure. The SLC president labeling it as ‘unacceptable’ and that the matter would be reported to the ICC is a reflection of the bad feeling in the Sri Lankan camp. It has with it a question whether a team cannot showcase its country flag as a symbol which is Sumathipala’s bone of contention.
In effect, and said: “It will be reported to the ICC. The flag is a symbol. It is a mark to say we are not happy with the decision. To show solidarity and fight back.”
By and large, it is the can of worms arising from a bad umpire call that has led to quite a storm between the Sri Lankan and MCC authorities. With no recourse to call for TV replays under the rules applying to the Test series, it is bad digesting to the Sri Lankan team. It was on the back of Hales also getting an LBW reprieve off Shaminda Eranga for a rap on top of the pad when on 45 when umpire Ravi’s decision was upheld by virtue of the umpire’s call on review.
The latest Tucker no-ball controversy has once again heightened the debate on the subject and the use of technology as the way forward for a foolproof system on front foot no-balling. Sri Lanka Head Coach, Graham Ford has urged that the ICC make use of technology to ensure fair play.
By Srian Obeysekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-
