| I think a better approach would be for the ICC to look at how the game is umpired so that any bias is minimized. They have gone some way to achieve this by having neutral umpires and the two field umpires are different nationalities. The two umpires also swap positions every over. Obviously, more needs to be done though. I'm very keen on allowing the captain of the fielding side to dispute a certain number of decisions by calling for a decision by the video ref at games where this technology is available. This will lessen the frustration that builds in captains when they believe decisions have gone against them. It is likely to reduce the amount of Code of Conduct charges captains get these days for showing dissent. It might also reduce the amount of appealing that blights the game as bowlers try and pressure the umpire to give some marginal decisions in their favour.
I think one Law which can be exploited by a biased umpire is the LBW law. I think the ICC should have a close look at how this Law is interpreted because it's a well known fact that some umpires are more willing to give batsmen out when defending on the front foot. That is blatant bias of a different kind but it could be abused by a biased umpire towards a certain team.
Last edited by admin : 30-09-2006 at 04:49 PM.
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