SAM MORSHEAD AT EDGBASTON: It might seem a radical idea, but there is precedent. Back in 2008, during the Australia-India series down under, Steve Bucknor was pulled from the third Test in Perth following a set of clangers at Sydney
Now here’s a question: what would it take for the ICC to swap out an umpire mid-series?
After Joel Wilson’s poor display at Edgbaston - eight decisions overturned by DRS and several other mistakes besides - the issue is certainly swirling, with Wilson scheduled to stand again in the third Test.
It might seem a radical idea, but there is precedent.
Back in 2008, during the Australia-India series down under, Steve Bucknor was pulled from the third Test in Perth following a set of clangers at Sydney.
On that occasion, the ICC’s decision came after heavy lobbying by the BCCI - although the global governing body insisted that Bucknor’s removal was not the result of political pressure.
“We feel that given the added pressure and attention Steve's presence would have at the third Test, it is better for the match and for Steve himself if he does not take part,” then chief executive Malcolm Speed said at the time.
It is unlikely that Indian chiefs are going to start peppering the inbox of senior figures in Dubai over the coming days anyway, but the question still remains.
Is Wilson mentally ready for another five days of intense scrutiny in one of the biggest Test series of them all?
Wilson was only elevated to the ICC’s elite list last week and the governing body are loathe to make sweeping changes based on a single performance - ‘one bad game doth not a poor umpire make’ being the perspective.
"What would it take for the ICC to swap out an umpire mid-series?"
But Wilson’s form in general is dubious.
Statistician Andrew Samson’s data shows Wilson has had 39 of his 96 decisions in Tests over the past four years overturned - that’s fully 40.6%. The official with the next highest percentage of DRS-reversed decisions (of those with 80 referred decisions or more) is Chris Gaffaney, at 30.5%. Marais Erasmus - who will be standing later in this Ashes series - has seen just 22.2% overturned on review.
“Players make bad decisions from time to time and as a result lose their wicket or get smacked out of the attack. Umpires make mistakes as well,” Joe Root said after the game.
“It’s very easy to over-criticise and point the finger. You’ve got to understand they’re under as much pressure as the players.
“That’s why DRS is there, to overturn the wrong ones, and thankfully it was there in this game.
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“It’s never going to be a perfect system, there are always going to be areas which could be made better. As long as you understand that, and accept that, it’s the same for both sides. You’ve just got to get on with the game.”
The ICC have always remained tight-lipped about the way in which umpires are evaluated, but a formal assessment does take place at the end of every game, with umpiring coaches keeping track of each day’s play before compiling an overall report, which takes into account notes from the match referee.
The ICC evaluate six different areas of performance, including decision-making and player management, and umpires will often have conversations with their coaches about what has gone right, or otherwise, during a game.
Changes are routinely made to the Elite panel, based on these assessments, but the notion of removing an official mid-series is extreme. Especially given Wilson has just been elevated to the top group of umpires, and non-English and non-Australians are in demand to satisfy the need for neutrality, such an outcome seems highly unlikely.
That manic World Cup final is now three weeks in the past, but the last remnants of the hangover remain.
Did England’s white-ball stars struggle to readjust in time for this series? Were the impulses of limited-overs cricket still at play? Was there enough time for rest and recuperation?
Ben Stokes certainly looked to be recalibrated with both bat and ball, but Jonny Bairstow found the going tough. And Jason Roy’s second-innings shot was more T20 than Test match.
“It was always going to be something that questions would be asked of,” Joe Root said afterwards.
“Guys knew it would be a challenge and from that made sure they prepared for it as best they could, and went into this game as ready as they could be.”
It’s a tough spot for England’s world champions.
If Bairstow and Jos Buttler - who made 20 runs between them in this match - had skipped Ireland and struggled here, we would surely have criticised their lack of match practice.
So once again, the question is: was it wise to shoehorn an Ashes series into a World Cup summer?
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There were some notable landmarks achieved by Australian bowlers on the final day at Edgbaston.
Firstly, Pat Cummins reached 100 Test wickets for his country, becoming the second-fastest to that milestone.
Cummins clocked up his ton in just 21 matches, faster than greats including Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warner and Jeff Thomson.
It’s still some way down on the record-holder, though. Charlie ‘Terror’ Turner hit 100 in just 17 games.
A few minutes later, Nathan Lyon clocked his 350th Test scalp, on his way for 6-49. Lyon has now taken more Test wickets than all bar three Australians in history.
Sunday saw beer stop play when James Pattinson carted a six into a spectator’s pint, and on Monday there was an equally unusual stoppage at Edgbaston.
Play was halted early in the day when Jason Roy became distracted at the Birmingham End.
Usually in these situations the culprit is caught wandering in front of the sightscreens but on this occasion the problem seemed much closer to home.
Roy appeared to be complaining of a buzzing noise - but it wasn’t from one of the dozens of wasps which played havoc with fans and umpire Aleem Dar on day one of the fixture.
Oh no. The meddlesome fool was the stump microphone, which had decided to play up at the most inopportune moment and required replacing.
It’s been a week of strange interruptions in Birmingham.
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Posted by Robin Brodhurst on 06/08/2019 at 17:34
Very interesting. Going back a bit, in 1958-59 Australian umpire Mel McInnes was appointed for all 5 Tests. Peter May and the England management objected to him after some howlers, and his "dictatorial" attitude, in the 1st Test. This objection was over-ruled by the Aussie Board of Control but when he got things wrong in the next 3 Tests he was removed from the last. This was the series when England were "thrown out" 4-0 by Meckiff, Rorke, Slater, Burke etc. Australia said none of them threw, then queried Lock's action, despite none of their umpires calling him. The chief wicket taker was actually Benaud!