Cricket

Neutral umpires – why ?

The International Cricket Council has drawn flak from former cricketers Darren Lehmann of Australia and England all rounder Derek Pringle for considering umpires’ nationality over their “excellence” in big games like World Cup final.

Darren Lehmann

Derek Pringle

The duo believe the ICC must move beyond parochialism and mistrust that forced the introduction of “neutral” umpires, who were responsible for the farcical finish to last week’s World Cup final.

Lehmann, the Australian Cricketers Association president, said the gaffe could have been avoided if Simon Taufel, the ICC’s umpire of the year for the past three seasons, had officiated the final between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Taufel was not considered for the final because he is an Australian and the ICC uses neutral umpires in ODIs.

Taken from indiatimes