Favourite Umpire

[Zainub]

As long as umpires are respected at the highest level things will remain relatively ok at levels below and Cricket will thankfully never be like football, God forbid if that situation arrives I hope I don't live to see that.

[Andy Mellon]

The trouble is Zainub, that I can guarantee you that in the UK at least, things are not 'relatively OK' at levels below. People taking up umpiring is at the lowest level for years, it is very difficult to get a neutral umpire to officiate in key matches all because bowlers (especially bowlers rather than batsmen) question vocally, if not more than vocally, most decisions you make.

In one particular instance I saw this year (when I was not officiating) a bowler shouted at the umpire when he'd been called for a wide when the ball hadn't even pitched on the wicket!!

I'm not joking here, but there are serious problems at club level which have only started to surface in the past couple of years and I think that we could do without anything that exacerbates the problem. I'm not saying that Billy Bowden is a bad umpire, its just that I have actually heard people making comments that suggest that Billy Bowden's umpiring was having just the effect I'm talking about.

I can appreciate that the situation is more than likely different in other countries, but umpiring is founded on professionalism and we should be making every move to preserve that.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

I hope I don't live to see that.

Me too, Zainub! If it ever happens, I'll be off to the rugby club.

[Zainub]

I'm sorry to learn about how hard things our for umpires in UK, I'm not aware to be honest of what the situation is like in Pakistan at club level, at first class level though its just as good as international level, and that I would think the same goes for the UK as well. I hope that its different in Pakistan. I understand that you don't think Bowden is bad umpire, and take your point as well.

Can you tell the people you've heard those accusations from that I'm not convinced Bowden has an influence on how umpires are treated in the UK. I actually think that might be a result of those kids watching too much footy and thinking that if its right to do in foot ball then it might well be right to do in cricket as well. The blame should go to their coaches, who I think have a responisbility of telling players that the game must be played in the right spirits. If this habbit is encouraged in youngsters from the very start (at school level) you'll be less likely to see umpires being shouted at any level.

[Andy Mellon]

I take your point that it might be the scourge of football that's causing some of the problems especially for the kids coming through, but the examples I have given all involved senior club players who should know better! I don't think football can be the only cause, but I think you're right in that the ill-discipline must be an influencing factor.

I'd also like to say that I've never seen any problems with women's cricket - although the team that I regularly umpire for have a problem with appealing audibly!

Anyway, back to the original question - Simon Taufel is my favourite umpire at the moment.

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

I'd also like to say that I've never seen any problems with women's cricket - although the team that I regularly umpire for have a problem with appealing audibly!

I'm not surprised to hear that Andy, and particularly glad as well.

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

Anyway, back to the original question - Simon Taufel is my favourite umpire at the moment.

Favorite? I don't think that's the word I'd use, he might be the best though, my favorite has to be Shephard, he's so cute but I'll admit that a certain bias has coloured my judgement here a bit

[imaginarydiva]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

It won't be a popular choice on the subcontinent, but I still have a lot of time for Steve Bucknor.

LOL!U said it.I really wonder how he still is alive after coming 2 india cuz he thought he topped our Most wanted list.Really;i dont know what enters into that guy when India is playing he seems to be blind as a bat.But ive seen him offciciate for other countries and he does a pretty good job.Really weird!

[Maranello]

dont know what enters into that guy when India is playing he seems to be blind as a bat.

imaginarydiva, I would not phrase it like that at all. Bucknor has probably been the best international cricket umpire over the past 12 or 13 years, and still is one of the best around. In general, I feel that quite a few sub-continental cricket fans often try to find bias and conspiracies where none exist; the Pakistanis do this with Shepherd, the Indians with Bucknor. Both reactions are jingoistic, hysterical and wrong. Bucknor does not give LBWs very easily, whoever is playing and he is also very deliberate with his decisions. Some sub-continental teams have a tendency to over-appeal and try and pressurise the umpire; maybe Bucknor tries extra hard when faced with that deliberate gamesmanship. So sure, he makes a few mistakes, but most other umpires would make more. I read the sub-continental press regularly, and for some in the Indian media and TV channels to allege deliberate bias is shocking. Bucknor and Shepherd are both honourable men who do a great job in difficult circumstances; maybe Shepherd should retire, but that is an altogether different discussion, one to which you can contribute to here.

[bdmoderator]

My choice is Steve Bucknor. He is an excellent umpire in my view.

[Andy Mellon]

Further to my earlier posts, I have noted that in the recent ICC Awards Function, Simon Taufel was voted by the ICC's 10 Full Member captains and the Elite Panel of ICC referees as the Umpire of the Year.