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LBW Law Crisis - Australia vs India
After Steve Bucknor adjudged Sachin Tendulkar lbw in Brisbane not playing a shot, he received the most amazing and irresponsible work-over from the press I have ever witnessed, and ever hope to witness.I felt his decision was not that bad as I thought the ball struck Tendulkar's front pad and was not going to miss the stumps by that much, if at all.
Regardless, mistakes are made and that is part of the game. The same people in the press call for sportmanship in the game and wonder what has happened to the games values. The analysis and commentary on that one decision was incredible. Asking the press to be responsible is a bit like telling Virender Sehwag to play straight.
Unfortunately though, this press lashing seems to have had an impact on the series, in that the response from the umpires is not to expose themselves to this again by turning down just about all appeals for LBW, even ones that appear just about certain to hit the stumps and satisfy the other criteria of the LBW law.
Of course this does not receive anywhere near the same attention in the press, although it has just as big an impact on the series.
And whats more, I believe India copped by far the worst of these non-decisions. I think both Hayden and Ponting were both plumb LBW in Melbourne at least once each before they reached their centuries in the 1st innings.
Also, to me Justin Langer was also plumb at least once in the final innings in Sydney and so too was Damien Martyn. All these decisions were crucial to the series and have pretty much gone unnoticed, except by some of the more accurate visiting journalists from India, for whom I am most grateful.
Whilst it is wrong to focus on individual decisions, I believe it is not good enough for umpires to just stand there and turn down all LBW shouts. My view was that after the press punished Steve Bucknor for his "mistake" in Brisbane, the umpires have responded by turning down all but the extremely obvious LBW decisions.
I believe the umpires decided perhaps suconciously that they were not going to fall victim to a similar press bashing. I think this marred the series, and I believe too that India were very unlucky in this area.
I am not a big fan of technology for LBW rulings, but after this "debacle" and the increasing pressure on the umpires I think it is almost inevitable that it will be upon us soon.
If not, batsmen will just stand in front of their stumps as they are now doing and will be impossible to dismiss. Who would want to be a bowler ?
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Maybe if the Indian bowlers, keeper & fielders didn't appeal for every ball that came within a foot of hitting the bat (bat-pad decisions) and over appealing for LBW decisions, the umpires could concentrate on legitimate appeals. The frivolous nature of s
Maybe if the Indian bowlers, keeper & fielders didn't appeal for every ball that came within a foot of hitting the bat (bat-pad decisions) and over appealing for LBW decisions, the umpires could concentrate on legitimate appeals. The frivolous nature of s
Jim, please finish off your comments and I will reply to you - cheers
Jim's comments cont'd : The frivolous nature of some of the appealing of the Indian players was a disgrace. It is a difficult enough job adjudicating on the close appeals without the umpires having to inform the players of decisions not even close to be
Jim further continued : being out. I realise this is what they are paid to do, but maybe umpires are getting sick and tired of having players waste their time. A little less appealing to the obvious "not outs" and umpires may more seriously consider leg
The umpire is correct.
Whether we believe them after the fact or not it exactly that - after the fact. What a team (a good team) will do is carry on with the innings and do their is best for the team. We can carry on all we like. But the fact remains - t
Kathy - I agree with you completely. However, the umpires must fearlessly uphold the laws of the game as well, otherwise the game lacks intergrity. I felt that too many very good appeals for lbw were turned down, and I was not alone in feeling this way.
yeah sure.. the aussies don't appeal at all..
Hi Jim,
Nice place to talk about the great technologically unassisted, talentwise blessed Indian Cricket Team.