“UMPIRES CALL” RUINED ENGLAND SERIES FOR SRI LANKA!
Posted on January 25th, 2021
By M D P DISSANAYAKE
The series against England was umpired by world renowned our own Kumar Dharmasena with not to renowned Ruchira Palliyaguru. Throughout the series, the UMPIRES CALL” haunted Sri Lanka.
The two umpires were far too strict for the Sri Lankans, perhaps unwilling to be seen and criticised bias against England. But the professionals need not be act in that manner.
Many of the deliveries of Lasith Embuldeniya were not properly read by both umpires, resulting stand in Skipper Chandimal to call for DRS. We now have clear evidence of at least on 6 occasions, Sri Lankan bowlers were denied the wickets, as the appeals were turned down prompting review, consequently judged UMPIRES CALL even though the ball clearly hitting the wicket. Had umpires correctly judged the deliveries and England appealing as a result, clearly demonstrate the correct decision of the umpires. The number of incidents were far too many to ignore.
In the long list of missed opportunities ( or wrong decisions of the umpires), the lucky survivors continued to make strong innings. The list includes Joe Root, Dan Lawrence, Jos Butler,Jonny Bairstow in the two match series. If situation of this nature takes place in either England or Australia, the public anger will be instant.
Under difficult conditions in Galle pitch, Sri Lankans played well in both matches, but invisible forces twisted our hands.
January 25th, 2021 at 6:49 pm
As Sri Lankans we love the game of cricket and one does have to be an expert to understand the game. Most of the time we can understand the situation from the reactions of the players.
To my mind Kumar shows a certain degree of bias towards England or Australia. Once I was watching a match between Australia vs India. More than once he gave decisions against India. I could see the disgust in the faces of Indian players. I was in Melbourne at that time.
Kumar would do well to remember that cricket fans of the whole world watches these matches.
January 25th, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Daryl Harper, a member of Elite ICC panel of Umpires who adjudicated 214 test matches had strong comments about UMPIRES CALL, just after the recently concluded Aus v India Test matches. He said, if once the on-field umpire has referred the matter to the Third Umpires, the previous decision of the on-field umpire should no longer be valid. This is absolutely true.
It does not matter if the ball hitting the wicket, 5%, 10%, 45%, 48%, 49%, if the lbw review result in ball hitting the wicket based on the technology by the third umpire, the final decision should be OUT.
Sri Lankan Cricket fans living in Australia, could have enjoyed a Very Happy Australia Day today 26 January Public Holiday, if we did not have the UMPIRES CALL stigma.