The decisions might have remained the same , but they were all still wrong.Think youll find Bell was reprieved by a Third umpire who is more incompetent this test than the last clown.The third umpire has to give decisions by what the video shows, not what "noise suggests". No hot spot, not out. What on earth is the point of DRS if so many wrong decisions are being made? The answer is simple, take reviews from players and make DRS the sole right of the umpires to refer decisions they are unsure of, and make the 3rd umpire overrule the likes of the sight impaired Dar and Erasmus. Of course it would need 3rd umpires to acquire a level of competency beyond that of either of the fools in these 2 tests. Thats how and why it works so well in Rugby, and in League and why even the ludite FIFA are going to introduce it. To stop wrong decisions, not to make matches lotteries.
Well ,if Australia manage to keep the team from further imploding till the end of the series, I will get 5 Tests to make a judgement !!! So far, seriously unimpressed at how it can be manipulated to advantage with practice, yet not get dreadful decisions overturned, which is why it exists in the first place. Seems to me to be arse up in how the rules are set up.
Hotspot is only one of the tools, not the only one. Snickometer (I'm guessing not it's official name) and the stump mics, plus the slowed down action replays are used to make a decision. I agree that umpires should have a alternative of "not sure" and refer the decision themselves, that's a good idea.
Think you'll find " snickometer " is NOT to be used by 3rd umpire, only hotspot and of course slow motion replays.my problem with 3rd umps in this series is they have 3 times given batsmen out with just the slightest suggestion of a hot spot, in fact it took multiple replays to even find it in one case but still you could say it is right, but then they give out 2 others when there is absolutely NO hot spot, which surely means the ball wasnt hit. If hot spot shows someone to be out, then no hot spot has to mean not out. In Agers case, you can see the gap between bat and ball !!!!!
First day , 3rd Test, already another absolutely horrific decision goes against Oz. Yet again DRS fails miserably in its main task, to get rid of lousy decisions. This time its 2 blunders by what must be the worst collection of umpires ever to officiate in an Ashes series. Put your house on it, DRS won't be seen in the next series.
BM2, I'm down in Haywards Heath at the moment, been in London a couple of weeks visiting friends and dodging English cricket supporters !!!! At least we all agree on the standard of umpires, never seen such a hopeless lot, especially the 3rd Umps. Thunder and heavy rain here since 5am, clearing now, hope it doesn't reach Manchester and bugger up the first decent batting our mob have managed so far. Enjoy the remainder of the summer, it looks like staying fine for some time yet.
Well done to England, thought we might make a go of Durham, but Broad put paid to that. Inspired bowling. Thought Aust have made some progress since Lords, and can now see who is and isn't up to the job. From my perspective, Warner looks OK, Clark got a stonker at Durham, but is fine, Rogers is looking better, Khawaja is worth the trouble, just needs more experience, Haddin is fine, as are most of the tail enders. Smith needs to learn to leave bad balls or go back to 20 20, and poor old LBWatson is hopeless. look forward to reverse series.
I read Mike Atherton's column in The Times and his view was that , historically , Aussie captains have all had a dour, agressive manner when they take on England. He says that Michael Clarke is much the opposite, being friendly and polite, and this had a negative effect on their performance!
Cym --Dont give up the day job! I know I'm in the minority but I think you could make a half decent opener for Wales, but dont forget to wear your glasses!
