IT WAS ALL IN THE GAME

A look at five major incidents that raised conflict of interest questions against home umpires, forcing the 2002 shift to neutral on-field officials

The kick

1979-80: Clive Lloyd’s West Indies were involved in two major incidents as they protested New Zealand umpiring in the series. In the first Test at Dunedin, Michael Holding kicked the stumps at the striker’s end after John Hastie turned down a caught-behind appeal. “This was not cricket and I didn’t have to be part of it. I was on my way to the pavilion, quite prepared not to bowl again, when Clive Lloyd and (keeper Deryck) Murray persuaded me back,” Holding later said.

The collision

1979-80: Things got worse in the second Test at Christchurch. West Indies team refused to come out on to the field after tea on the third day, demanding umpire Fred Goodall be immediately removed. They were persuaded to play on, and resumed. The next day, fast bowler Colin Croft was infuriated by Goodall’s repeated no-ball calls and turning down of a close caught-behind appeal. Coming into deliver the next ball, Croft shoulder-charged Goodall; Lloyd later regretted letting things go out of control

Polite enquiry

1976: New Zealand umpiring had been in focus four years earlier when India drew a three-Test series 1-1 after winning the opening game. Leg spinner Bhagwat Chandrasekhar though had sarcasm as his ally. Frustrated after many close leg before shouts were not given, he finally bowled the batsman. Chandra turned around and appealed. “He is bowled,” the umpire said. Chandra responded: “I know he is bowled, but is he out?”

The walk-off

1981: In the MCG Test, skipper Sunil Gavaskar, already upset after several leg before appeals by his bowlers had been turned down by home umpires, was given out lbw by Rex Whitehead. Gavaskar protested he had played on, but Dennis Lillee, the bowler, ran down the pitch and pointed to the batsman where he was hit. Gavaskar walked off taking partner Chetan Chauhan with him. India team Manager Shahid Durrani though met them at the boundary and asked Chauhan to return, averting a forfeiture

Slanging match

1987: On Day 2 of the Faisalabad Test, Pakistan umpire Shakoor Rana stopped play saying England skipper Mike Gatting had moved his fielders during the bowler’s run-up without informing the batsman. Rana said Gatting had used abusive language while the latter accused the umpire of calling him a cheat. Rana refused to resume play till Gatting apologised. The third day’s play was lost and the incident threatened diplomatic ties. The England board ordered Gatting to write an apology to the umpire