Ricky Ponting calls for cricket to ditch neutral umpires

[Abdullah719]

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting Saturday called for cricket to ditch its requirement to have neutral umpires after a number of incorrect decisions in the ongoing first Test of the Ashes series in England.

Aleem Dar of Pakistan and West Indian Joel Wilson have drawn criticism after a number of their calls were overturned by the review system during the opening days at Edgbaston.

Ponting, who is part of the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) influential Cricket Committee, said he would ensure the matter is discussed at their next meeting.

“It’s already been spoken about a lot among the players. If it’s not brought up (at that next MCC meeting), I’ll make sure it’s added to the agenda,” he told the Cricket Australia website.

“I would like to think the game has come far enough now for the game to not have neutral umpires.

“People might say that with all the technology we’ve got now, it doesn’t matter that much. But it’s not a good spectacle when pretty obviously wrong decisions are made,” he added.

“There’s been a lot of negativity about the DRS (Decision Review System) over the years, but we’re pretty lucky that we had it (at Edgbaston).”

The International Cricket Council mandated the use of neutral umpires in 2002, meaning English and Australian officials - widely considered among the best in the world - cannot be part of the Ashes series.

Ponting pointed to England’s Richard Kettleborough as a top umpire forced to miss out.

“Surely Richard Kettleborough and the like would want to be umpiring the best series. The best umpires can end up missing out on all the big tournaments,” he said.

“It could force umpires into retirement a bit early as well when someone like (former Australian umpire) Simon Taufel is spending most of his life (overseas), which is a bit harder than spending your time in Australia.”

Former Australia spinner Shane Warne, another member of the MCC Cricket Committee, also criticised the umpiring on day one of the Edgbaston Test, calling it “horrific“.

“England are bowling very well. The umpiring has been horrific from ball 1 & so has the reviews process of the right ones from Australia,” he said on Twitter.

The MCC’s Cricket Committee, guardians of the laws of the game, is an independent body comprised of current and former players and umpires who meet twice a year to discuss issues around the sport.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...to-ditch-neutral-umpires/article28805971.ece#

 

[angrypathan]

Agree with him, technology is there to prevent the howlers anyway so umpires can't be blatantly biased

 

[Madplayer]

This is the same mentality saying that only the englishmen and Aussie men can be good umpires.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Maybe Aleem Dar is due a bad game or two. But best to retire when when is at his peak.

 

[Aman]

Nah, if a local umpire favors the home team it will only raise questions. I'd prefer it the way it is.

 

[barah_admi]

Aleem dar is the best umpire on the planet.

Every umpire can make bad decisions.

Does pointing believe only a white umpire is any good? Has he forgotten the cheating days before his time?

 

[Barragan]

Ridiculous suggestion!!

Drs may be available now, but how many decisions are made by umpires call?

There are plenty of those decisions and without a neutral umpire, majority of those will go to the home side.

Also, if the away side loses its reviews, then what?

Howlers could ensue and nothing the away side could do.

 

[Mamoon]

This is the same mentality saying that only the englishmen and Aussie men can be good umpires.

That is not what he is implying.

Richard Kettleborough is arguably the best umpire at the moment, and it is silly that he is missing out on the most high profile series because of the assumption that he might be biased towards England.

Ponting is absolutely right. It is absurd to believe that umpires will show bias towards their team in this day and age. Besides, home umpires will be scrutinized in detail and they won’t be able to get away with it.

 

[Major]

Pakistanis are not going to take this lightly.

Because the neutral umpire recommendation came from Imran, and people here cant go against his word.

 

[IMMY69]

You cannot have partial umpires whilst there is umpires call on DRS referrals

 

[Amirforpresident]

Pakistanis are not going to take this lightly.

Because the neutral umpire recommendation came from Imran, and people here cant go against his word.

Keep crying

 

[adil_909]

in every major international sport, referees/umpires are from neutral countries. get over it pointing.

 

[Pakistanian]

Ponting still embarrased a decade after he was owned by Aleem Dar (2x Umpire of the Year)

 

[Savak]

Neutral Umpires are absolutely correct

 

[WC-Passion]

No thanks. Can already see the conspiracy nonsense when an Indian/Pakistani umpire is asked to officiate a Pakistan vs India game.

 

[HitWicket]

This is the same mentality saying that only the englishmen and Aussie men can be good umpires.

The ICC elite umpires are picked based on the ICCs internal umpire rankings which are based on performance. Nearly 60% of them are English/Australian. Evidently English and Australia umpires do tend to be better than those from elsewhere.

 

[Haroon786]

Instead of fixing the problem at hand (improving umpiring standards) he is suggesting a reversion back to a regulation which was the epitome of sacrilege in cricket. Hope sanity prevails and the right decision is made, not very pleasing that one individual has so much influence in a sport watched by billions.

 

[cricket4all]

If players can have a bad day why not umpires? All international sport has neutral officials so this would be a backward step.

Pointing is a cry baby. I remember Windies v Pakistan in 1999 when neutral umpire and Englishman D Shepherd made blunders to name one of many instances Australia and England umpires made mistakes.

As said in the above post improve and fix the problems internationally by spreading funding for improving standards universal standard. Not just in Australia India and England the funds should go everywhere.

 

[cricket4all]

I hope this MCC cricket committee is represented fairly by all cricket nations. I doubt it. Anyway does any proposal have to be approved by the ICC?

 

[cricket4all]

That is not what he is implying.

Richard Kettleborough is arguably the best umpire at the moment, and it is silly that he is missing out on the most high profile series because of the assumption that he might be biased towards England.

Ponting is absolutely right. It is absurd to believe that umpires will show bias towards their team in this day and age. Besides, home umpires will be scrutinized in detail and they won’t be able to get away with it.

It’s tough. There’s other series too and this is the same in every sport.
Ponting needs to get over it.

 

[sweep_shot]

Umpires should be selected based on qualifications. Doesn't matter if the umpire is neutral or not. ICC should scrap this neutral nonsense.

If umpire's performance is bad, then drop him from the panel. Also, use more technologies if possible.

 

[cricket4all]

There should be enough good umpires to drop poor performing umpires and still replace them with a good performing replacment neutral umpires.
Surley something wrong in the system if all the good umpires are only english and australian?

Agree umpires should be selected based on qualifications though but the bit about scrapping neutral umpires shouldn't even come into it. It just sounds as if Ponts and his like are saying others make mistakes and have shockers but the english and aussies don't make any howlers.

 

[Hawkeye]

)

Not gonna sit down well with some of the desi awaam.

 

[HitWicket]

Instead of fixing the problem at hand (improving umpiring standards) he is suggesting a reversion back to a regulation which was the epitome of sacrilege in cricket. Hope sanity prevails and the right decision is made, not very pleasing that one individual has so much influence in a sport watched by billions.

Where's the motivation for other countries to get their range and quality of umpires up to the standards of England and Australia if it doesn't affect them?

 

[sweep_shot]

I think there should be demerit points system for umpires. Umpires should receive demerit points for each wrong decision. As soon as an umpire receives a certain number of points, drop him.

This is the only way to go.

 

[cricket4all]

Forget the umpires for a minute. What’s the criteria of selecting ponting and members of the mcc cricket committee? We should have the best their too.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

So the law should be changed so some Brit or Aussie umpire who is considered good at the moment doesn't miss out?

Silly logic for the long term.

 

[Donal Cozzie]

The absolute stupidity of so many people involved with this sport astounds me.

Non neutral umpires.

For massively important games.

In 2019!!!

Ridiculous. Would be unfair on teams, fans and also the umpires themselves as every mistake would appear as favouritism or could even have the opposite effect as they attempt not to be seen as biased to the home side.

The standard of "elite" umpiring in cricket I agree is shambolic, but thats because the ICC do absolutely nothing to reprimand or assist umpires who are clearly substandard like S Ravu/Dharmsena et al, to the extent the latter technically cost a team an entire world cup due to a mistake and got backed for it rather than punished or warned for.

Umpires have zero accountability it seems, even if terrible, which is a big reason why standards are shocking imo. That being said non neutral umpires really is such an astoundingly stupid idea I cant even fathom how these people's brains work. Like asking the current seatholder to count the cotes in his constituency.

 

[Mamoon]

[MENTION=139948]cricket4all[/MENTION]

It does. Do you not think it is ridiculous that Aleem Dar has been kept away from officiating in series involving Pakistan because of the absurd assumption that he might favor them?

Instead of having mediocre umpires like Ravi and Dharmasena officiate a series between England and Pakistan, why not have two excellent umpires in Kettleborough and Dar?

I am afraid those who are advocating neutral umpires in 2019 don’t really have a case. People are predictability playing the victim card and showing a thin skin because they feel that Ponting (white supremacist) is having a go at Dar because he is brown.

It is not even about Dar or any particular umpire. The fact is that the best umpires should officiate in the big series without worrying about absurdities such as showing bias towards a particular team etc.

Do people really think that in this day and age, with every decision micro-analysed, professionals would be prone to favoring certain teams instead of doing their jobs? That is preposterous.

The neutral umpires concept is outdated and lazy. Nationality of the umpire should not have any bearing.

 

[BaankeJi]

Ponting should just enjoy a game of cricket. He is unnecessarily causing problems for everyone.
Going back to non neutral umpires will be suicidal.

 

[Gilly]

The absolute stupidity of so many people involved with this sport astounds me.

Non neutral umpires.

For massively important games.

In 2019!!!

Ridiculous. Would be unfair on teams, fans and also the umpires themselves as every mistake would appear as favouritism or could even have the opposite effect as they attempt not to be seen as biased to the home side.

The standard of "elite" umpiring in cricket I agree is shambolic, but thats because the ICC do absolutely nothing to reprimand or assist umpires who are clearly substandard like S Ravu/Dharmsena et al, to the extent the latter technically cost a team an entire world cup due to a mistake and got backed for it rather than punished or warned for.

Umpires have zero accountability it seems, even if terrible, which is a big reason why standards are shocking imo. That being said non neutral umpires really is such an astoundingly stupid idea I cant even fathom how these people's brains work. Like asking the current seatholder to count the cotes in his constituency.

I agree people shouldent talk about things they display a complete lack of knowledge about.

 

[Gilly]

So the law should be changed so some Brit or Aussie umpire who is considered good at the moment doesn't miss out?

Silly logic for the long term.

You missed the point by a mile, its not about color (even though some here have never been able to get past that) and its not about nationality. Umpires umpire in home matches for ODI's and there is no problem. Umpires dont want to get to the top in their field only to be disqualified from umpiring in thier home country. No one wants to explore the real reason why umpiring is so poor and pass up the opportunity to abuse and slander a white person.

 

[Haroon786]

Where's the motivation for other countries to get their range and quality of umpires up to the standards of England and Australia if it doesn't affect them?

If the MCC can put in place rulings that impose restrictions on umpiring equality (removing umpire neutrality), then surely they can introduce measures to improve umpiring by forcing cricket boards and the ICC to place greater focus on standards and quality.

 

[Gilly]

If the MCC can put in place rulings that impose restrictions on umpiring equality (removing umpire neutrality), then surely they can introduce measures to improve umpiring by forcing cricket boards and the ICC to place greater focus on standards and quality.

It is unrealistic to expect an umpire to out perform 20 cameras, with slo mo, snicko, eagle eye and all other components of DRS. Umpire will make mistakes regardless who they are. The test is a player accepting the umpires decision.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Nope

When Aleem Dar was at the top of his game I don’t think England would have wanted him in a series with Pak.

Dar has made his errors and should come under the spotlight but people shouldn’t forget that Ponting has a grudge with him that was born from situation where Ponting was in the wrong

 

[irfan]

would not take Ponting or Warne's, for that matter, opinions on umpiring, they both have grudges against certain umpires and yes it is borne of a completely misplaced and deluded superiority complex.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Rather than asking for no neutral umpires shouldn't the focus be on not having mediocre or bad umpires like Ravi, Wilson, Dharmasena?

 

[the Great Khan]

Stupid idea..should be ridiculed..anyone supporting it is either devoid of basic ukul or an ignorant.

 

[HitWicket]

The absolute stupidity of so many people involved with this sport astounds me.

Non neutral umpires.

For massively important games.

In 2019!!!

Ridiculous. Would be unfair on teams, fans and also the umpires themselves as every mistake would appear as favouritism or could even have the opposite effect as they attempt not to be seen as biased to the home side.

The standard of "elite" umpiring in cricket I agree is shambolic, but thats because the ICC do absolutely nothing to reprimand or assist umpires who are clearly substandard like S Ravu/Dharmsena et al, to the extent the latter technically cost a team an entire world cup due to a mistake and got backed for it rather than punished or warned for.

Umpires have zero accountability it seems, even if terrible, which is a big reason why standards are shocking imo. That being said non neutral umpires really is such an astoundingly stupid idea I cant even fathom how these people's brains work. Like asking the current seatholder to count the cotes in his constituency.

I refuse to believe any of the other elite umpires would've been aware of whether the batsmen had crossed when the throw was released in the WC final.

 

[topspin]

Pakistanis are not going to take this lightly.

Because the neutral umpire recommendation came from Imran, and people here cant go against his word.

Rich coming from you considering you're PP's biggest ever cult follower in re: Misbah.

 

[Stewie]

Typical Aussie mentality. Only whites can be good at something.

This ***** should be told that Aleem Dar is a top umpire.. he is the best umpire in the world. Just like cricketers, umpires can have a bad day as well. If he is trying to say Kettleborough is better than Dar, I say he needs to go see a head doctor.

 

[Salma_T]

He is throwing his toys out of the pram I have not heard anyone say revert to using ghe best regardless of what country they are from until Ponting said it. As someone on Aus tv said surely training should be provided and she couldn't believe that only England and Australia had the best umpires.

 

[dhump]

The overall standard is poor; they are not cheats just incompetent.

 

[Robert]

Umpires should be selected based on qualifications. Doesn't matter if the umpire is neutral or not. ICC should scrap this neutral nonsense.

If umpire's performance is bad, then drop him from the panel. Also, use more technologies if possible.

Neutrals were introduced to get rid of real or imagined home ump bias. This was a problem in the eighties, culminating in the notorious 1987 Faisalabad test which turned into an international diplomatic incident.

 

[sweep_shot]

Neutrals were introduced to get rid of real or imagined home ump bias. This was a problem in the eighties, culminating in the notorious 1987 Faisalabad test which turned into an international diplomatic incident.

Yes. Neutral umpires were needed back in 80's and 90's. It is no longer needed as there are more technologies/cameras now. Any howler can be reversed now thanks to DRS.

 

[in_cutter]

Pakistanis are not going to take this lightly.

Because the neutral umpire recommendation came from Imran, and people here cant go against his word.

They cried when there were no neutral umpires. They cry when there are neutral umpires.

Imran was right.

 

[Zahid87]

This is the same mentality saying that only the englishmen and Aussie men can be good umpires.

Basically this.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the concept of neutral umpires. All umpires have bad games, just as all players occasionally have bad games.

If there are howlers, then the DRS is there to help the players. If you don't review when its clearly a bad decision, well that is on you.

 

[Rana]

The quality of umpiring has become terrible. Square leg umpires have no confidence in their instincts whatsoever, they refer everything to the 3rd umpire

 

[Gilly]

Basically this.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the concept of neutral umpires. All umpires have bad games, just as all players occasionally have bad games.

If there are howlers, then the DRS is there to help the players. If you don't review when its clearly a bad decision, well that is on you.

Actually there is, if you want the best then you must select on merit.

If you want the best umpires then logically you must select the best.

 

[Technics 1210]

Ponting still misses Darrell Hair. The greatest of all, Australian, umpires! LOL!

 

[Zahid87]

Actually there is, if you want the best then you must select on merit.

If you want the best umpires then logically you must select the best.

There are supposed to be enough elite umpires for any board not to have to select a 'home' Umpire. If these Umpires don't exist, then it is a failure of the ICC and the home boards to produce them.

Dharmasena was the ICC's umpire of the year. Aleem Dar has been consistently good over a long period of time. Second best in recent times after Taufel.

There is still an element of potential bias with the Umpires call aspect of DRS, so would rather have neutral umpires every day of the week.

 

[princeuk]

Ok so bunders were made in this test match but with Umpires call any biased decision would stay with the umpire so there is still scope for a lot of bias. Im not saying it would be deliberate but can you imagine if a home umpire made a genuine mistake that favoured the home team, particularly in the sub continent it would be pandemonium.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Ponting will be the first one to cry if home umpires from India give one decision in favour of India against Australia.

 

[zulfiqar]

Actually there is, if you want the best then you must select on merit.

If you want the best umpires then logically you must select the best.

Nothing wrong in what you said - but history has shown that umpires do show bias towards the home team. I don't know how someone can call it "absurd" that an umpire won't show bias when that behavior was rampant when it was allowed.

Ponting has a great point about it being harsh on an umpire to miss out on 90%+ of your home games and to have to travel all the time, but that is the demand of the job at the moment. One solution is to let umps opt out of international cricket when there are domestic games/tournaments going on so that they get a break.

Either way, you know never with Ponting - he might be saying all this to put pressure on the umpires to get a few favorable decisions for his team just like he used to in his playing days.

 

[HasanA]

the simple solution is to INCREASE the number of DRS to 5 for each innings per side.