Cricket’s dire need for change made clear on day of third umpire controversy

One of the greatest catches that never was left the cricket world in uproar but through the confusion emerged one clear point, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

One of the greatest catches that never was left the cricket world in uproar but through the confusion emerged one clear point.

It’s time for cricket to invest in specialist off field umpires who know how to get the best out of the game’s ever-advancing technology.

Virat Kohli was given not out first ball after a signature edge off his bogey man Scott Boland was trapped momentarily between the thumb and forefinger of Steve Smith’s right hand as he tumbled, parrying it upwards to Marnus Labuschagne at gully.

Video umpire Joel Wilson ruled that the ball had “rolled’’ out of Smith’s hand and touched the grass.

The decision divided the cricket world. So did another call by Wilson later in the day when he judged Washington Sundar caught behind off the glove off Pat Cummins after Snicko recorded an unusually shaped reading which was rectangular rather than a spike. Fox Cricket’s Michael Vaughan reckoned Sundar was not out.

Certainly Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah wasted no time in telling umpires what he thought of the Sundar decision when he arrived at the crease in remarks captured by stump microphones.

In fairness to Wilson, both calls were brutally tough.

He took an extended period and a large number of reviews to make the second one. You could hear the rising anguish in Wilson’s voice as he asked for more replays searching for a replay which would allow him to make a definitive call.

Former Test umpire Tony McQuillan believes cricket has reached the stage where it needs to think about specialist third umpires trained specifically for the interpretation of cricket’s video reviews.

“I think cricket has to look at following rugby league and having officials who are primarily trained to operate in a bunker,’’ McQuillan said.

“It might get to the stage where they are not even in the same city as the Test. Obviously they should have umpiring experience but their knowledge of handling the unique challenges of the third umpires would be just as important.

“It has just changed so much since I was around and the third umpire only really had to worry about stumpings and run outs.

“There are so many more things to look at now and there is so much at stake money wise, for everyone.’’

Mark Waugh claimed on Fox Cricket he thought the Kohli edge was out: “I think that’s out; I think that’s very close to touching the grass but I think he rolled underneath it with his finger.

“I think he’s got away with one there Kohli, but that’s the way the game goes.’’

A special Newscorp poll of more than 2000 voters revealed fans were less certain with roughly 60 per cent believing it was a fair catch and 40 per cent saying it wasn’t.

Originally published as Cricket’s dire need for change made clear on day of third umpire controversy