Holder is all for neutral umpires

Wellington – West Indies captain Jason Holder pressed yesterday for an end to cricket’s insistence on home umpires because of the coronavirus pandemic, although he had no serious complaints about the officiating in New Zealand.

Speaking after the West Indies suffered back-toback heavy losses to the Black Caps when only New Zealand officials were in charge, Holder said a fairer system would be to have an umpire from both countries on duty.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced neutral umpires 26 years ago to end accusations of home-team bias.

But with the Covid-19 disruption to international sport and the “logistical challenges with international travel” the ICC rescinded the rule this year to again allow for home umpires and match referees. –