When umps err
ABU DHABI — Umpires make mistakes. They are human too. But Englishmen Michael Gough and Richard Illingworth made it a habit. Standing only in his third Test, Gough had four decisions overturned and the experienced Illingworth erred on three occasions. In this series between Pakistan and West Indies, the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) has no snicko technology available. To start with there were no reviews till the 72nd over of the Test but later it flowed. —
abu dhabi — Umpires make mistakes. They are human too. But Englishmen Michael Gough and Richard Illingworth made it a habit.
Standing only in his third Test, Gough had four decisions overturned and the experienced Illingworth erred on three occasions.In this series between Pakistan and West Indies, the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) has no snicko technology available.
To start with there were no reviews till the 72nd over of the Test but later it flowed.
Durham man Gough misjudged twice each during West Indies’ batting and then again while Pakistan batted.
In the ninth over on Day Three, Azhar Ali swept Carlos Brathwaite and missed. It was a low straight ball and 36 year-old Gough gave it out. Azhar immediately called for review and third umpire Paul Reiffel found an inside edge. Decision overruled.
In the 11th over, Sami Aslam tried to sweep Brathwaite and missed. The bowler appealed and it went in his favour but Sami went for the appeal and again an inside edge was detected.
These were two successful reviews for Pakistan, two close calls for West Indies and two blots for Gough. On Saturday too, the second day of the match saw Gough err.
Yasir Shah’s over saw two appeals in two balls. First it was a delivery that saw Darren Bravo miss a pull and the ball struck middle and leg. Gough gave it not out and Yasir urged skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to go for the review. The decision was overturned and Bravo walked.
And in the very next ball, Gough gave Marlon Samuels out leg before when the ball had kissed the bat first. The decision was again overruled by the TV umpire.
Gough has umpired in 29 ODI games and eight T20 Internationals since he made his debut as an international umpire in 2013. His Test career started in July when he stood for Zimbabwe-New Zealand match at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
And not to be left behind, Yorkshire man Illingworth too had two decisions gone wrong.
On Sunday, Sami Aslam chased Shannon Gabriel’s ball down the leg side and was caught behind. It was given not out. Gabriel wanted a review and skipper Jason Holder reluctantly went for it. Reiffel overturned the on-field call.
Earlier, when Pakistan were bowling. Sohail Khan had trapped Roston Chase on the front foot. Illingworth gave it out. Chase went for a review. It was found going down leg side.
And when West Indies were bowling in the first innings, Sohail Khan was given leg-before in Gabriel’s over. Sohail reviewed and the TV umpire found the ball missing the leg stump. Once again decision overturned making it Englishman’s third faulty call.Illingworth has so far officiated in 23 Tests, 47 ODIs and 16 T20s.
At the end, their lapse of concentration can be blamed on the famed Abu Dhabi heat. Umpires are humans too.