Haddin accuses umpires of cracking under pressure

Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin has strongly criticised the umpiring during the current Ashes series and said that some umpires cracked under pressure.

According to news.com.au, Haddin said that the standard of umpiring in the series was something that needed to be looked at. “I think England deserve to be in the position they are at 3-0, I think they’ve played the better cricket,’’ said Haddin.

‘’But in all honesty, I think the standard of the umpiring in this series has been something that they could have a look at.

‘’I know players deal with pressure in different situations and some guys respond to it and some don’t. I think with the umpiring in this series, there have been times when they have cracked under the whole big pressure of a campaign like it is.’’

Haddin was visibly frustrated when given out LBW by umpire Tony Hill during Australia’s calamitous second innings of the fourth Test.

As he left the field, Haddin turned to Hill, who has been roundly criticised for his performances in this series, and said: ‘’Not again.’’

“I just think the consistency of the umpiring (is poor),’’ said Haddin. ‘’I don’t think it has got anything to do with DRS. I think DRS has put too much pressure on the umpires on the field. I think they’re second-guessing themselves with their decisions. ‘’Obviously I should have hit (the ball). But I think from both teams, we’ve had things that we’ve sat back and said ‘How can this be happening?’’

One theory is that umpires have become more likely to give batsmen out when the fielding team has used its two referrals. By doing so, the batsmen loses the benefit of the ‘’umpire’s call’’, as happened to Haddin at Chester-le-Street.

‘’I think the umpires are aware where DRS is at,’’ says Haddin. ‘’Who’s got one left or who’s used them up. I think it can influence their decision.’’

Haddin wants the DRS to be taken out of players’ hands, with umpires have the sole right to refer close decisions. ‘’I do think it does place pressure on the umpires because the crowd – the home crowd here are always going to lean towards England,’’ he says.

‘’But I do think the DRS has put a lot of pressure on the umpires on the field and I’ve gone on record before saying it should be taken out of the players hands. If they think it needs to go upstairs, let them go upstairs.

‘’The bottom line is we want to get more decisions right than we get wrong. DRS was designed to take the howler out of the game and I don’t think it is doing that.’’

Haddin’s form with both the gloves and the bat has provided some consolation for the Australians. With 25 catches so far, he is on the verge of breaking the world record 28 catches in a Test series. “I wasn’t aware of that at all, but I’d take that back for a win,’’ said Haddin. ‘’You don’t play for them (records). When they come along it’s a nice achievement but I’d take a few wins over that.’’