A SIDEWAYS GLANCE AT THE WEEK

GOOD REVIEWS TURNED THE TEST

ANOTHER 18 holes of yips and self-loathing meant a date with Test Match Special for the final few overs of India’s daring win at Lord’s. Who needs pictures when a fifth day sizzles and spits down the airwaves like that? Two key details were lost in the fog of English recrimination — crucial turning points on a yo-yoing final day. First, Jonny Bairstow was trapped in front by Ishant Sharma just before tea. Then Jasprit Bumrah dislodged Ollie Robinson with a moment of genius. The common thread? Both were given out on review. Until then both teams’ use of DRS had been woeful. Across five days of highquality, high-octane Test cricket, India and England failed with a combined 14 reviews. Only two decisions were overturned. Bad calls? Sure. Captains are too often swayed by those most impartial observers: fast bowlers. But the second Test also served as another reminder of the quality of top-drawer umpires. Michael Gough has become so unerringly consistent over a few split-seconds that near astonishment greeted evidence that he was wrong to spare Bairstow. Richard Illingworth had been brilliant until he misjudged Bumrah’s slower ball, too. What a treat to see officials cede the spotlight to the players. Boxing is plagued by shocking scorecards, while the Lions tour was dogged by tiresome debate over decisions. How would football survive without perpetual fury about referees? Cricket is not infallible — in a recent club game, one umpire pondered around a dozen big appeals. They must have given 10. Many were shockers; by the end, it was a running joke. But just as bad decisions can tarnish any game, so good umpiring enhances even the best battles. A shame, then, that DRS isn’t available everywhere. I had no excuse (bowled). But it’s still worth sending it upstairs, isn’t it?