The farcical disregard of no-balls by international umpires was exposed again yesterday as James Pattinson overstepped repeatedly but was only called for a no-ball after dismissing a New Zealand batsman.
Television replays showed Pattinson delivered four no-balls, which all went uncalled by the umpire, shortly before dismissing debutant Glenn Phillips in the third Test at the SCG.
Phillips was then reprieved when the third umpire discovered Pattinson had overstepped. By not calling Pattinson’s earlier no-balls, the umpire did not give the seamer a chance to correct his run-up and avoid this costly mistake.
This situation was reminiscent of the comical scenario that unfolded in Australia’s previous Test series against Pakistan.
Channel Seven exposed the fact that, inside just two sessions of the first Test against Pakistan, a whopping 21 no-balls were missed by the umpires. This added weight to the popular theory that umpires now rarely take heed of where the bowler’s front foot lands.
While Pattinson’s wicket off a no-ball was not a pivotal moment in the Test – Australia were cruising – it is part of a major issue in international cricket.
(Photo by Jeremy Ng/AFP/Getty Images)
On Saturday, English quick Stuart Broad dismissed South African Rassie van der Dussen off what turned out to be a no-ball on replay. The host broadcaster uncovered video evidence the English bowlers had been overstepping constantly, without being punished, in the lead-up to that incident.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said yesterday that umpires were abdicating their responsibility.
“I’m not having it for one minute that umpires are looking down at that front line,” Ponting said on the live television coverage of the SCG Test. “They are not looking at the line, they are looking at the striker’s end only. For mine that’s not good enough, it’s part of umpiring and part of what comes with the job.”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) last month began a trial aimed at addressing this problem.
In the T20I series between India and the West Indies, the third umpire was tasked with monitoring each delivery to check for no-balls. The third umpire intervened on three occasions when no-balls went undetected, immediately communicating this to the on-field umpires.
This is a common-sense approach that should have been introduced a long time ago. The ICC for many years now has had the necessary technology to implement such a system but have been reticent to do so.
The Pattinson no-ball was one of three pieces of fortune yesterday for Phillips, who showed evidence of generous talent during his knock of 52. A gorgeous straight drive for four off Mitchell Starc and a thunderous pull shot for six off Pat Cummins were two of the highlights of the day.
Yet NZ still wasted a strong position early on day three to leave themselves staring at defeat and a 0-3 series scoreline. At 1-117 the Kiwis were beginning to apply pressure to the Aussie attack. The home quicks were getting little out of the deck and the visiting batsmen were playing spinner Nathan Lyon well.
But Lyon stayed patient and managed to skid one through the defences of Jeet Raval (31), trapping him LBW and triggering a collapse. Two balls later opener Tom Latham (49) donated his wicket by chipping a Starc delivery straight to mid-on.
Veteran Ross Taylor was in an aggressive mood, cantering to 22 from 19 balls before he too was caught LBW, this time by Cummins. When wicketkeeper BJ Watling dragged on against Starc for 9, and then all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme (20) ran himself out, the Kiwi resistance was well and truly over.
They finished on just 251, handing Australia a 203-run lead, which the home side increased to 243 by stumps. Openers David Warner (23*) and Joe Burns (16*) steered Australia to the close of play.
Australia will aim to declare some time during the second session tomorrow. It shapes as an important day for the likes of Burns, Travis Head and Matt Wade, who will be keen to shore up their positions ahead of Australia’s next Test series in Bangladesh in June.
JW
Guest
About time. Could the ICC also fix the advantage rule in AFL, so that the umpires don't wave advantage after everyone has already stopped on the whistle? And tell FIFA that it's possible to stop the clock when soccer players are rolling on the ground wasting time?
JW
Guest
Shouldnt be hard to make the call in real time. Technology must be out there that can do that now. Tennis had the cyclops 3 decades ago and hawkeye can surely do it. A light could flash or a buzzer go off in the umpire's ear as soon as it's picked up. Heck, a giant siren could go off that can be heard 3 suburbs away if we are really worried about the entire crowd celebrating a wicket that wasn't.
DTM
Guest
I agree. If he's quoted here correctly, I think he needs to be educated on the challenges of the job - only way to do that is to get him to umpire some games and have his decisions scrutinised. Same goes for many others who think that it's ok to be critical of the split second decisions umpires need to make only to have their decisions picked apart by commentators and fans who have the benefit of multiple slow motion replays from various angles.
Nick
Roar Guru
Ponting would be an absurdly poor umpire. His temper would get in the way.
Nick
Roar Guru
Well, yes. But we have no idea or not whether they are being called properly or not.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Although if the no balls were being called from the get-go, it's probably likely the bowler/s wouldn't keep over-stepping, so may not end up being as high as 7.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
cf. Greg Matthews on Test debut.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Bad decision? You mean great decision for my team.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Wasn’t just Stuart Broad overstepping tho.. Kagiso Rabada also a serial offender. One dismissal he overstepped by a full 6 inches. Not picked up by on field ump. Batsman fortunately recalled after review.
DTM
Guest
In today's ultra competitive environment, players strive for every millimetre and coaches push players to the limit. So it is not surprising that no balls are bowled. Umpires stand 6-7m behind the popping crease and are expected to make a split second judgement and a call on whether the heal of the bowler was 1mm or more behind the line - then they have to immediately (no time to ponder) lift their eyes to consider where the ball pitches, whether there was a faint edge, whether the ball struck the pad in line with the wicket, whether said ball was going on to hit the stumps or missing by a millimetre or two. Not only that, but the umpires are on the ground for 100% of the game time - often in uncomfortable an oppressing weather. Before anyone says "they have done it for years without these issues" - I answer, the umpires have never been under the scrutiny they are now where every decision they make can be reviewed by millions around the world. When an umpire's decision is shown to be correct (despite many of us in the comfort of our home thinking he was wrong), they get little recognition of the skill and concentration it takes to make such a decision. I'm sure Ricky Ponting (and others) would make an excellent umpire - it is shame he hasn't followed Paul Reiffel into the role. I have umpired at district level (unfortunately, without the benefit of DRS) and I can assure you, the umpires take great pride in their work and no one feels a mistake more than they do. It is time for the 3rd umpire to call front foot no balls in all test matches and ODI's. Again, I question the bowlers training methods and their coaches. How often do bowlers overstep in the nets? And why is the problem not sorted out there? One day, it will cost a team a test match (if it hasn't already).
justin
Roar Rookie
two comments from me...1. the umpires have missed back foot no balls all summer, especially in the big bash...if they are missing so many why doesn't the third umpire just take over.. 2. Ponting has more front than Myers suggesting umpires are not doing their job...the biggest sook of all time..did nothing but whinge about umpires..made their jobs ridiculously hard.
Paul
Roar Guru
agreed about the rules not being applied in other sports, but I'd suggest this is on that should be applied, given the impact it can have on close Tests, for example.
Jock McSprock
Roar Rookie
There are plenty of sports where the umpires / referees don't apply the rules as they are written. Both teams bat and bowl, so there's no equity issue. I'm not sure anything needs to be done.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
… as she waved her wooden stump? :silly:
jameswm
Roar Guru
No. But if the umps don’t call them, I’d be telling my players to check.
Rolando
Guest
The On-field umpire is only going to call a no-ball if they are sure. In real-time from a distance it’s harder to tell. The third umpire has the benefit of slow-mo replays. The umpire square of wicket also has to evaluate whether batter is in his crease for possible stumpings etc. What we don’t want is umpires calling a no-ball which is marginal and having tele replays to see if he got it right. That opens up another world of pain.
Big Daddy
Guest
The trouble is if we scrutinize every ball were only going to get 80 overs per day.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I am continually amazed that bowling coaches have bowlers try to land their heel on the crease. If they went back just 20 or 30 centimetres, they would likely never no ball. There is no excuse for a no ball IMO.
Tanmoy Kar
Roar Rookie
Either Field Umpires should call all the No Balls but the Third Umpire should check as well, or Third Umpire should call all the No Balls. It should not be in-between, nobody calling the No Balls!
Nick
Roar Guru
It's a bigger deal in ODI's. I wonder how many are missed in ODI's? There's potential 7 runs lost for each missed no ball. Or considering the free hit rule, are umpires diligently looking every ball in ODI's. If so, surely they can in tests?