Jan 23, 2008

Have international umpiring standards gone down over the years?

Have international umpiring standards gone down over the years?
Krishna Hariharan
International umpire
Q
Is the pressure of being pulled up by commentators who have the benefit of replays to adjudicate in hindsight responsible for some bad decisions
Asked by: Ramesh
A
We don't get to hear them during any point in the match. They have their job to do, we have ours to do. It was very nice chatting to all of you on IBN Live and Cricketnext. There were some interesting questions that I had to answer today. I would surely like to catch up with you some time in the future. Thanks and bye.
Q
Mr.Hariharan. In the last few years, we have lost all the Indian Umpires in the International arena. the Likes of yourself, A.V.Jayaprakash, Ramasamy, Venkatraghavan.
what according to you is the reason behind this. Indian ex cricketers as umpires are still not up to the mark?..
Asked by: VJ
A
Hi VJ, Not many cricketers have taken up umpiring so far. Don't write me off, I am still in the race to get into the international panel and to the elite panel. Who knows, I may be occupying Simon Taufel's position some time in the future !
Q
sir,unsportive behaviour has become a norm in today's cricket , do you think umpires should have the power to suspend a player by showing red card like in football
Asked by: ramddas
A
Unsporting behaviour should not be tolerated at all and that's why the introduction of the code of conduct for players and officials. But it is not a bad suggestion to have something like yellow cards and red cards like in football.
Q
Hi Hariharan ; i have always admired your upmiring...but why aren't there any Indian Umpires on the Elite Panel...Are they not competent enough??? Are they being overuled by white skins??? Is it fear or lack of control or self confidence on the cricketing pitch???
Asked by: Sadiq
A
Thanks for the compliment. I have answered the other parts of the question earlier in the session.
Q
Dear Sir, whom do you think the most honest cricketer u have seen in the field as umpire
Asked by: GANESH
A
Adam Gilchrist and Brian Lara.
Q
Hello Mr. Hariharan..
In test matches, a single umpire operating for all the five days is a very difficult task. Even the players will get enough rest when their team is batting. Why can't we introduce two sets of umpires for single test match?
Asked by: Preetham
A
I think this is a very good suggestion and even the players and officials have expressed a desire for this. That day may not be far off when we have such an arrangement.
Q
Hello sir. My question is when it rains during a cricket match why is the pitch and little ground area is covered. Why cant the entire ground area be covered so that when it stops raining it wont take much time to start the match
Asked by: anand
A
Firstly, it is time consuming. Covering the whole ground involves a lot of labour, inventory and logistics. Normally, we worry about the most crucial areas of the cricket pitch and its surroundings.
Q
Whay is that all the umpires do not have any retirement age? Once they are of certain age the ICC should tell them to retire them as they would have lost their eye power and would also have hearinf problem?
Asked by: Dhruman
A
There is a retirement age of 65 years. After 55, there is a thorough medical check-up and you have to pass those exams to continue umpiring.
Q
I think the solution to this problem is NOT by giving a captain/player a couple of challenges... Nor should the umpires refer to the 3rd umpire all the time... As it would lead to a waste of time during the play...

The Solution is to allow the 3rd umpires the authority to correct a decision made by the field umpire... The moment a decision is made, the 3rd umpire should scrutize it and should correct the field umpire, when the decision is wrong...

I hope sense prevails...
Asked by: Jimmy
A
The third umpire is not shown all the angles of the camera all the time and some technologies like the hawk-eye and snick-o-meter takes time to get into the system and show the results. So, the third umpire does not see many of the replays before the next ball is delivered. Unless he is asked, he can not get to see the replays.
Q
BALAJI: respected sir, I feel relying on technology seems too much now a days. Why can't it be banned to show repeated replays on eronious umpring decisions?
Asked by: BALAJI.J
A
Balaji, I think that is a very good option from the umpires' point of view.
Q
Hi Mr. Hariharan, this is Dipankar,how are you? . In this current series, we have seen a lot of umpiring errors by ICC umpires like Bucknor, Benson, and even Bowden and Rauf. Why doesn't the ICC amend its neutral umpire rule and keep the best umpires for crucial series like these, like Simon Tauffel, so that umpiring blunders can be kept to a minimum. The compliant of bias is definitely outdated.
Asked by: Dipankar Chatterjee
A
While Simon Taufel is a very good umpire, even he can make a mistake. Imagine a situation where Taufel gives a wrong decision and Australia benefit ! It will look biased and there will be a lot of speculation and criticism.
Q
do u think it is the technology that is to be blamed for the bad umpiring decisions(replays of decisions being shown on the TV) or is it the umpiring standards are going down day by day???
Asked by: ruben
A
I think it is a combination of both.
Q
U too as an Umpire, have ever felt sorry for Wrong decisions which gives a reason for a team to Win the that Match ?
Asked by: Sallirajn
A
It has not happened so far, but definitely I would feel very bad if I give a wrong decision that effects the outcome of the match. I will correct myself and try to do better.
Q
Is it necessary to have neutral upmires ?
Asked by: Ramesh
A
Definitely it is better.
Q
Hi sir,
I would like to take up umpiring as my carrer. But I donot know whom to contact. Iam from Hyderabad(Andhra Pradesh). Can You suggest the right path to get into this field for which I shall be thankful to you.

Thanks,
(Subbu)
Asked by: Subbu
A
Please contact your state association and express your desire to do umpiring. Start passing exams and do well. All the best.
Q
Sir, What do you think about introducing a mini-screen kind of a gadget(of the size of an i-pod or something similar) in which the umpires will be able to see the replay video or hawkeye immediately which will help him make his decision?
Asked by: Bhavish
A
Very interesting, but it will be time consuming as well. Nowadays, the present trend in Test match cricket is 12-13 overs per hour. With your suggestion it may come to 10 or below. Does that sound boring?
Q
Dear Mr. Hariharan,
if any doubt, y are umpires reluctant to go for 3rd umpire? If technology is there, go for it 100%. Wrong decisions may lead to serious repercussions like it did in Sydney.
Asked by: prashant bhatnagar
A
We can ask for help from third umpires only for certain decisions which are stipulated by the ICC. We have to work within the rules.
Q
what is your view about neutral umpires in a test match and not in onedayers
Asked by: Raja
A
We have one neutral umpire for each ODI, which I think is fair. This system gives the chance to develop a pool of umpires from the home country.
Q
sir, Inspite of the system the country has produced some of best cricket umpires like Rambabu Gupta, Ramaswamy,Reporter, who went unsung
Asked by: ramddas
A
Hi Ramddas, While we have produced some fine umpires, it is not fair to compare different eras because decisions were not under scrutiny with the help of technology and camera like they are now.
Q
Dear Hariharan,
In the present scenerio, I hope the umpiring standards has come down a bit, becuase i think very less attention given by the ICC on the umpiring!! There are very few umpire's like simon taufel who can able reverse his decision after knowing that its bad decision.
what is your take on this..
Asked by: subbu
A
hi Subbu, That's an interesting question. More mistakes are happening in the last one year. May be because the umpires are scrutinised much more than before. The ICC is also responsible for the downfall in the standards because they are not paying attention in nomination to the international panel by member countries, who are not nominating the best in their country to the international panel.
Q
I think there should be a physical fitness test for the umpires on a regular basis ,like we have it in football
Asked by: rohit
A
In the BCCI, we have a physical fitness test every year and also in the ICC, all the elite panels have thorough medical check up every year.
Q
What is your opinion on the Umpiring issues during the ongoing series?
Asked by: Abhijith
A
The Sydney match was definitely not good, but the other matches are more or less normal.
Q
Is there any person to whom the players can complain when something wrong is given against them by the umpire,then and there on the field?
Asked by: Ramya
A
They can only give a report on the match umpires to the match referee.
Q
why did umpire mark benson did't go for 3rd umpire Ganguly's catch?
Asked by: Shan
A
There was an agreement between the two teams and umpires that in case of doubtful catches, the captains will consult the player concerned and will inform the umpire about the fairness of the catch. In this case also, Mark Benson looked at Ponting and after he confirmed , Benson gave the batsman out. But, since the replays have shown the other way round, the umpires should have charged Ponting for this after seeing the replay in the evening.
Q
why is every time sachin has gone to australia umpiring decisions have gone against him
Asked by: akhil
A
Hi, This is again a matter of chance. Umpires are not targetting him.
Q
Hello Sir, U have been in the elite panel of Umpires. What to do u think about poor umpiring these days? What is ur opinion on the Sydney Test Match? Do u think like players, Umpires should also be heavily penalised?
Asked by: Arvind
A
Hi Arvind, I was close to getting into the elite panel but did not get there. the system will take care of bad umpiring.
Q
Hello Sir
Is it mandotary for a person to play first class cricket in order to qualify as an umpire
Asked by: miriyala anand
A
No Miriyala, It is not necessary to have played first-class cricket. As long as you are perfect with rules and interpretations, you have every chance of going up in this field.
Q
Why india have such a less no. Of international umpires ?
Asked by: Robin
A
Hi Robin, There are two international umpires from every country and if they do well, they are nominated to the elite panel. But at present, unfortunately we don't have anybody on the elite panel.
Q
Also sir why it happens more with indian team when it comes to bad umpiring ?
Asked by: Robin
A
Hi Robin, This is not the truth but we feel that way because our team is effected by some bad decisions.
Q
Sir,
I feel now days because of the technology there are lots of pressure on umpires, to ease the pressure why can not umpires make use of technology, why do Senior umpires like Bucknor also are hesitant to take use of technology. My next question is why are there no umpires from India in ICC elite panel, Why does not BCCI have special training for umpires in India, Why does not BCCI start a academy for Umpires.Umpires like Shastry have a long way to go before they can be called a good umpire.
Asked by: Muralidhar
A
Hi Muralidhar, You are very right, the BCCI should think of starting an academy like they have for players and the umpires should also be made professional. They should be made accountable to the BCCI, to the ICC and to cricket.
Q
Sir do you think using the third umpire to help the on field umpire with overstepping no balls is a good option considering there is already pressure on umpires when it comes to LBW and caught behind decisions?
Asked by: Saurabh
A
Hi Saurabh, Yes, it is a good option. It was tried earlier but not fully approved by member countries. But after the recent incidents, they will have a rethink on this.
Q
what you think, what ICC should do with the guilty umpier in a match ?
Asked by: Ram
A
the ICC takes not of the performance of umpires after every game and the umpires also get a feedback on this. Unless the umpire shows definite improvement in those areas, it is most likely that he may not get many matches and he may not be posted for key matches.
Q
Hello Sir, i have one question as why technology is not used for close LBW decision ?
Asked by: daipayan
A
Hi Daipayan, It is because the technology is not perfect or 100 per cent accurate.
Q
hi what u think of executing steve bucknor? does it means ICC is taking correct decision
Asked by: Ramnaresh
A
It is not fair to an umpire to be removed just before a match. It gives a wrong signal to other umpires. It should not serve as a bad precedent.
Q
sir i feel that umpires are also human and they are prone to mistakes but cricket has become much more competitive and one bad decision can change the momentun of a game..........expanding the elite panel is not the solution but i feel we should have better training and accountability in place for international umpires...
Asked by: philipbkk
A
This is a very good question philip, The present system of nominating umpires to the international panel is not very good. The ICC has no say in either appointment to the international panel or removal from the international panel by the member countries. And it is also a fact that not necessarily the best umpires from their countries are only nominated to the international panel. The international panel feeds the Elite panel but even the nomination to this is not correct and I don't know why the ICC is quite on this. They have to take all the blame for this. I think they will realize and work on this. By doing this, they are after all, going to get the best umpires for the international panel and then the elite panel.
Q
today also when sehwag was out it was no ball.what do you say this time?
Asked by: mihir suratwala
A
All the bowlers nowadays bowl from very close to the edge of the popping crease. The umpire, standing eight feet behind, definitely will have some parallax error in sighting the exact foot landing. The camera placed at the square leg boundary will give a clear picture of the foot landing with lot of clarity but the use of this camera for calling no balls was tried but it is not being continued now by the ICC for want of acceptance by member countries. This is a good suggestion and your question is well taken and the ICC will be definitely discussing this in the next meeting.
Q
Rather than telling that Umpiring standards have gone down, the fact is that the technology has improved a lot to spot out Umpires mistakes.
Asked by: Anand
A
Hi Anand, There is no doubt about that. But the sad thing is only the two umpires on the field do not get any kind of help from technology. They are the ones criticised with the help of technology.
Q
Why so much errors by almost all the umpires each and every day? Is it due to exhaustion?
Asked by: soum
A
We umpires take care of ourselves adequately. Bad decisions are definitely not due to exhaustion. There are so many other factors which are working all the time. Any of these factors can effect a decision but we always try to overcome all these hassles and try to put in our best. It is only a matter of chance that so many decisions are being disputed in recent days. The correct decision percentage in ICC without any use of technology is more than 95 per cent.
Q
Many Times Bowlers appeal for LBW, how much pressure will be at that time on the Umpire, & how did u fill if any wrong decision made by you ?
Asked by: Sukhdev
A
There is no pressure on umpires for any decision for that matter. Even if there is a bad decision, the umpire has to try to forget and go forward, ensuring that it does not occur again . Two wrongs don't make a right.
Q
Hello Mr. Hariharan.... how are u doing? i have a question for you, Dont you see double standards in ICC Panel mostly fo Asians? i dont think we (indians) wont get any justice in Bhajji's Case. what is your say on this?
Asked by: Lohith
A
In this case, we will have to accept whatever decision is taken by the independent observer, who is a judicial expert. Let us hope for the best and a fair decision.
Q
the advent of neutral has not fetched much dividends, as they are prone to influence by the host nation
Asked by: ramddas
A
Neutral umpires are good. The present system is working nicely except for the odd mistake in matches. They are not influenced by the host nation at all.
Q
When they have the technology why dont the umpires use it
Asked by: Roop
A
All the technology that is used now is not 100 per cent accurate. They are studying on this and the research is on to get more accurate technology, which can be safely used in matches without sacrificing the enjoyment and intricacies of good cricket.
Q
There should be a possibility that each team can appeal to the third umpire if they feel that they have been given a wrong decision
Asked by: koti
A
Hi every one, I am happy to join you for this chat on Cricketnext.com. Here go my answers: Hi Koti, The ICC is studying on this proposal and in the next meeting, they will have a discussion on this and if accepted by the member Boards, it will be a very good decision and teams will get more fair decisions.