It's not just Indian umpires that get it wrong...

Umpire concedes BBL error.

It’s often forgotten that umpires, like the players they officiate, are humans and make human errors.  What separates the good players and umpires from the bad are those who can own up to their mistakes, acknowledge where they went wrong and become better for it.  Just like no batsman means to miss a ball or no fielder deliberately drops a catch, no umpire means to make the wrong call when standing out in the middle.

On Tuesday night in Perth in the first Big Bash League (BBL) semi-final, umpire Shawn Craig declined an appeal for a caught-behind that left the Melbourne Stars aghast with disbelief.  The batsman was Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper Sam Whiteman, who later admitted he did indeed edge the ball and should have been given out.  But Craig, in the centre of a ground that was humming with noise and excitement, ruled 'not out' before later admitting he was incorrect. 

“It was a really muffled noise and so I didn’t think it was bat”, Craig said afterwards.  “I got it wrong. He [Whiteman] has hit it, there’s no doubt I got it wrong and it’s one of those ones I wish I could take back”.  Craig stood firm as Melbourne Stars fielders, led by veterans David Hussey and Kevin Pietersen, pleaded with him to give it out before being left disappointed and frustrated by the decision.  

“That’s part of the game”, Craig said. “There are many occasions where they will ... appeal confidently and it is not out and you make the right decision.   Especially in the Big Bash when it is noisy and there are times when you can’t hear the nicks or something that might occur, off the pad or bat, you’ve got to rely on your partner to give you a hand.  You’ve just got to trust your judgment and hope you get it right more often than not”.

Pietersen, who was miked up whilst he was in the field, called Craig’s decision on line television “shocking”, but as yet there is no indication he will be sanctioned for that remark.

Sam Ferris.

CA web site.

Wednesday, 25 January 2017.