Should Australian and English umpires be allowed to umpire the Ashes?

[age_master]

Umpires from Australia and England for Ashes?

Cricinfo staff

August 26, 2006



Simon Taufel: in line for an Ashes Test later this year? © Getty Images
The Australian board has suggested that umpires from England and Australia be allowed to stand during this year's Ashes series. The ICC rules stipulate that all Test matches should have third-country umpires, but the Australians believe that the quality of decision-making will be better if the umpires from the two countries are part of the panel.

According to The Age, though a formal request hasn't yet been placed, Cricket Australia directors have been exploring the option with the ICC. Peter Young, a spokesman for Cricket Australia, said that a contest between the two best teams in the world should have the best officials as well. "It's one of those issues that is frequently discussed socially. Australia and England are the two top-ranked sides in the world, and by chance the top-ranked umpires in the world ... won't be able to umpire in that series.

In a perfect world, it would be great for a series that will not only determine who wins the Ashes but could decide the world No. 1 ranking to be officiated by the world's top-ranked umpires." Australia's Simon Taufel is regarded as the best umpire in the world at the moment, while England's Mark Benson - their only representative in the Elite Panel - is highly rated as well. Daryl Harper and the controversial Darrell Hair are the two other Australian umpires currently in the Elite Panel.

© Cricinfo

Personally i would be quite happy to have Taufel and Benson umpiring the games.

[marc71178]

IMO the best umpires should get the biggest games, regardless of nationality.

[Eyes_Only]

Originally Posted by marc71178

IMO the best umpires should get the biggest games, regardless of nationality.

Agreed and I would love to see this happen. However, I think the ICC will leave things as they are...

[andyc]

No way. The neutral umpires were brought in for a very, very good reason.

I've never really mentioned race before, but let's be honest here. If it were an India-Pakistan series, would people be this willing to let Indian and Pakistani officials umpire? I doubt it.

[Eyes_Only]

Originally Posted by andyc

No way. The neutral umpires were brought in for a very, very good reason.

I've never really mentioned race before, but let's be honest here. If it were an India-Pakistan series, would people be this willing to let Indian and Pakistani officials umpire? I doubt it.

Fair point but I think the neutrailty of umpires is a given no matter who they were umpiring so that it wouldn't matter...if they have a problem with being neutral, they probably shouldn't be umpring at any level. The nationality of the players and umpires has never been an issue (aside from a few recent examples) and the best umpires should be umpiring the best games.

Just my opinion though

[BoyBrumby]

Originally Posted by andyc

No way. The neutral umpires were brought in for a very, very good reason.

I've never really mentioned race before, but let's be honest here. If it were an India-Pakistan series, would people be this willing to let Indian and Pakistani officials umpire? I doubt it.

I agree totally with what you say, but Hair's alleged neutrality hasn't really lessened the storm re the ball-tampering, has it? Would the storm have been any worse if (say) Benson or Willey had been standing?

[_TiGeR-ToWn_]

The best umpires, no matter what nationallity, should be given the biggest games in the calender year whether it means you have to umpire your nation or not.

[greg]

Who was responsible for the current lead article on cricketweb (England not keen on best umpires...) whilst mischievously adding a picture of Darryl Harper?

[andyc]

Originally Posted by greg

Who was responsible for the current lead article on cricketweb (England not keen on best umpires...) whilst mischievously adding a picture of Darryl Harper?

Seeing as it was written by James, I'm going to say James

And are you sure it's Hair? Looks more like Harper to me (I think...)

[Mister Wright]

Yes.

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

I agree totally with what you say, but Hair's alleged neutrality hasn't really lessened the storm re the ball-tampering, has it? Would the storm have been any worse if (say) Benson or Willey had been standing?

Well if you look at how little abuse and vitriol has been aimed at Doctrove on here, I think we already know the answer.

[Tomm NCCC]

I know that they are all umpire in a proffesional manner, and will not be bias in anyway, its more than their jobs worth. I trust Taufell & co to make the right decisions regardless of the teams, because its just not cricket if they dont

[Gloucefan]

According to the BBC it doesn't look like the ECB will support this idea. I wouldn't be happy for it to happen, I don't want Australian umpires in an Ashes match. I don't doubt their ability to be impartial but any bad decisions would become a source of scandal. Imagine if it was Benson who gave Kasprowicz out at Edgbaston people would have said his being English would sway such a difficult decision. No way should this happen, I'd be suprised if Taufel and co would REALLY want to do it. Not worth the agro.

[victorbubba]

i wonder why this has only just been mentioned?
it obviously is because the aussies want to get the ashes back regardless of the means.
i am not saying their umpires wouldnt intend to be neutral but the acb think it gives them an advantage.
the best in the world are probably the aussies umpires but you have to use neutrals to avoid any bad feelings towards the umpires from the players.

[luffy]

I dont think it is a good idea for the Ashes. I dont have a problem for any other series but the Ashes is the most prestigious series in world Cricket. Pick the best umpires as long as they arent from Australia or England