So, the 'Referral System' and my views on it; well, let me explain it first.
If either team is not happy with the decision of the on-field umpire from an appeal then, under this system, they have the right to refer it to the third umpire. Each team gets three unsuccessful appeals per innings; that's a minimum of 12 per team per Test match. If your referral is upheld, as in you disagree with the on-field decision and the third umpire agrees with you, then you don't lose that referral. Following? The system says the footage has to 'conclusively' prove that the on-field umpire has made a mistake for it to be overturned. But, they are only allowed to use TV replays, no sound, no 'snicko', and no 'hot spot'.
Got it? Good.
So, in reference to Baz's [McCullum] dismissal, with the technology that is currently available, only the TV footage, there was no way to say that Baz definitely did not hit it as you couldn't see 'daylight' between the ball and the bat because of the camera angles, therefore the third umpire had to stay with the on-field decision. But if you look at the trajectory of the way a ball and the plane the bat was following there was no way that Brendon did nick that ball. A decision that angered not just Baz, I can tell you. And this is where this 'referral' system fell over.
Shoe on the other foot, had the on-field umpire given it 'not out' and the Windies referred it to the third umpire, again with the footage available, the decision would stayed with the on-field decision. So from the replays he was, therefore, both out and not out depending on the on-field decision. Confused? So were we! And this is not the reason why the system was introduced. It needs some tweaks.
Firstly, three appeals are too many. Within the rules we contested decisions that, normally, we would have just moved on from and got on with the game. But as you've got three unsuccessful appeals, you may as well use them all up and have a crack at the 50/50 ones. The rule was put in place to right the wrongs of 'howlers' (like Baz's), the really bad decisions, not the 'iffy' (50/50's) ones. Maybe three in total for each completed innings (batting and bowling); a total of six per match per team?
Secondly, if you've got the technology, then why can't it be used? 'Snicko' is not perfect as it picks up creaks in the handle, it picks up the rubber of the grip snapping and also other noises that are made out there. 'Hot spot' is also not perfect as sometimes where the 'hot spot' should be, or not be, isn't shown on the one angle of the footage. But when you combine all technologies the picture gets better and better. There is a better chance of making the right decisions.
If all three technologies (camera angles, snicko and hot spot) cannot 'conclusively' prove one way or the other then the decision should stay with the on-field umpire.
Jeetan [Patel] secured his best Test bowling figures in this second innings, 5 for 110 off 46 overs. This added to the 25 overs he bowled in the first innings means he should be one tired boy. Both Dan [Vettori] and Jeets played important parts in this match. On a deck that just got better and better to bat on, and was great to bat on from ball one anyway, they did two jobs. Both Jeets' and Dan's economy rates were just a smidge over two per over for the match and came on in parts of the match where the batsmen were starting to control scoring rate. Controlling the scoring rate means you can attack a little more from the other end. And they picked up wickets too, 10 for the match between them.
Gayle was pretty good. Maybe, that's an understatement. He controlled the whole of the Windies second innings. His 197 was one of the best controlled innings I've had the displeasure of being a part of, and very unlucky to not get more. His dismissal was interesting. He attempted to pull Jeets around the corner, got a bottom edge on it straight down onto Baz's shoe which then popped up to his gloves. He certainly deserved more, but we weren't too worried about that at the time, in fact, still not bothered by it.
There was, at least, one more thing that was pretty interesting that happened in this match. And it just happens to include Brendon, again. It wasn't big and it wasn't clever, but it did show what can happen to people when the head gets all messed up. Daren Powell was having a little battle with Baz during the first innings. In fact it was getting a little bit heated out there. I can't repeat what was said here, as its second-hand information and I could get in trouble if I get it wrong. Either way what happened wasn't great for the game. Powell got quite heated at Brendon walking at him while he was batting; he took exception to it and then produced what I'll call a 'brain explosion'. In the middle of one over, Powell ran through the crease and threw the ball, rather than bowled it; something that is rather naughty. In fact, as a bowler, that's about as bad as it gets. The following morning, before we took the field, we had one rather sheepish-looking fast bowler come into our changing room and apologise for that delivery. And by the looks of it, that apology has got him off any disciplinary actions.
And that finishes up this match.
I'm now back with the Wellington side for a while. I'm hopeful of selection for the one-day series starting on New Year 's Eve in Queenstown. I know I have missed out on the two Twenty20 matches that are tomorrow and the 28th. So, Wellington v Central Districts in the lovely Nelson Park on the 27th. Hopefully I'll get through that match with some impressive figures and really put the pressure on the selectors for one-day selection. I'll be back on here to cover that match with some thoughts on the NZ Twenty20 match and whatever else is happening in my head and in my life.
Again, Merry Christmas, hope it's a great day with the family! Now sit back and enjoy the NZ Twenty20 and the Australia v SA Test match.
Interesting, hope you do get selected for Queenstown it is a picturesque town.
Posted by: Shankar at December 26, 2008 9:34 AM
Good Blog,hope you get selected for the ODI series against WestIndies in Queenstown.
Bowl well tomorrow against Central Districts.
ALL THE BEST for tomorrow match.
Perform well in MVP(MOST VALUABLE PLAYER) Domestic Ratings also.
All The Best to you and State Wellington FireBirds Team.
All The Best.
Posted by: Beaaar at December 26, 2008 10:50 AM
Excellent blog once again mate, looking forward to seeing you in action at the game at Trafalgar Park tomorrow... you must come and have a seat on our couch just like last time you were in town, and maybe field in front of the couch again?! Think we know better than to call you Ian Butler now :)
Posted by: Neville Sangster at December 26, 2008 11:46 AM
Iain,
What is the confusion? If the third umpire cannot come to a conclusive decision he has to stay with the decision of the onfield decision. Simple as that.
Posted by: Ramanean at December 26, 2008 4:17 PM
Hi Ian
I agree with your points..
But decision of doubt should be given to batsman if the replays are inconclusive
I think Referral system should only be used for catches and stumpings and not for LBW's which are so difficult to tell
LBW's should be referred only when a on field umpire had a doubt whether there was an inside edge on it..
Posted by: Swami at December 26, 2008 4:36 PM
If a bowler deliberately throws a ball, why was no disciplinary action imposed by the match referee ?
Posted by: zakir ally at December 26, 2008 6:06 PM
overall on the new ruleing ,both umpire makes mistake ,windies have more decision against them ,which come from both umpire.a decision which ramdin was giving out ,one like that went the way for NZ,SO THERE more improvement need to come
Posted by: Phil Chapman at December 26, 2008 9:06 PM
Enjoy your blog Iain very interesting feedback from a players perspective,good luck for making the one day side, hopefully a good performance today will help in that regard.Once again i love your attitude towards such a pressure cooker environment such as test cricket, you provide good humour to the game,keep it up.
All the best on selection and todays game.
Posted by: Dunga at December 27, 2008 2:08 AM
Iain, I gotta ask. Why did you bounce Brett Lee so much in that match? I'm sure it must be very unsafe......They were good deliveries, and caused him discomfort, true... But wouldn't a bouncing battle between pace bowlers just escalate and escalate until it degenerates into a giant black hole of death? To be melodramatic, that is.
And I hope your matches for Queenstown go well!
Posted by: Shankar at December 27, 2008 5:18 AM
Ian,Good 33 runs partnership for 10th wicket between you and Boam against Central Districts.
You bowled a good spell of 1/41 and you have improved your batting.
Today score of 17 was the best score for you in List A Matches.You have shown a tremendous improvement in batting also.
Good Work and repeat your good all round performance.
All The Best for your selection in ODI squad against WestIndies in queenstown
Posted by: Terry at December 27, 2008 7:38 AM
Hey Iain, Thought you had an excellent game today, really showed the batsmen how flat the wicket was. Congratulations pal, looking forward to your blog on the game.
Cheers,
Terry Wiechern
Posted by: Riverlime at December 27, 2008 9:10 AM
Good to hear a piece from players during a series. (Missing the Gayle-Sarwan diaries, though.) Iain, ever thought of getting into sports journalism, mate? You write well.
Gotta ask your opinion on something though. Why is Vettori kicking a fuss about the Super Over, when he was okay with the Bowl-Out in the previous tie? Rather disingenuous of him, wouldn't you say? Sour grapes , methinks.
Posted by: Chris at December 27, 2008 10:17 PM
Compliments of the season Iain! Interesting points you make about snicko and hotspot - I'd never considered the sound of a creaking bat handle to get in the way of accuracy..
Sorry to see you lose to the Stags, but jeez they are on fire. Hope you've done enough to secure selection for the ODI's!
Chur chur
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Iain O'Brien
must type as fast as he bowls. After stumps most days he adds to his popular personal blog, covering his take on the play, dressing room snippets and personal insights (he really doesn’t like bouncers). A fast-medium bowler, O’Brien has become a regular member of the New Zealand Test side over the past year and is enjoying his time at the top.
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