For folks watching the current India South Africa series its again a sense of deja-vu seeing the "perplexing" decisions from Mark Benson.
On the first day at Durban , With SA toterring on 3-35 two plumb lbw against Gibbs and Prince are not given - before the score reaches 100 another plumb lbw on Prince is turned down - even the neutral expert Wasim Akram is moved to comment "its amazing how this cannot be out" while Pat Symcox looks on embarrassed but pleased.
Not to say two blatant edges caught behind are turned down - Ntini looks sheepishly at his bat and last wicket adds another 30 runs !!
fast forward to second day - a rising Nel delivery is edged by Dravid on to his pads - he is on tip toes and he is struck high on the pad - Pat Symcox feels "that's too high "- Akram feels "definitely will go over the stumps" - graphic shows the ball bouncing a clear one feet over leg stump - Mark Benson in a flash decides that's OUT !!
If there are mistakes evenly for both teams - one can overlook but the pattern of bias continues.
Amazing how so many umpires always target India as the team to be sawn off - Steve Bungler from WI and Shocker De Silva from Sri Lanka are known never to award a dubious decision to India but number of lbw claimed by shocker de Silva against India is amazing !!
Steve Bungler's decision to reprieve Jonty Rhodes by not asking for third umpire run out at a crucial stage in a test in South Africa and his infamous Tendulakr caught behind at the Eden Gardens where there hardly an appeal from the Pak team are examples of his racial prejudices !!
Welcome Mark Benson to this exclusive Club of neutral ICC umpires !!
On the first day at Durban , With SA toterring on 3-35 two plumb lbw against Gibbs and Prince are not given - before the score reaches 100 another plumb lbw on Prince is turned down - even the neutral expert Wasim Akram is moved to comment "its amazing how this cannot be out" while Pat Symcox looks on embarrassed but pleased.
Not to say two blatant edges caught behind are turned down - Ntini looks sheepishly at his bat and last wicket adds another 30 runs !!
fast forward to second day - a rising Nel delivery is edged by Dravid on to his pads - he is on tip toes and he is struck high on the pad - Pat Symcox feels "that's too high "- Akram feels "definitely will go over the stumps" - graphic shows the ball bouncing a clear one feet over leg stump - Mark Benson in a flash decides that's OUT !!
If there are mistakes evenly for both teams - one can overlook but the pattern of bias continues.
Amazing how so many umpires always target India as the team to be sawn off - Steve Bungler from WI and Shocker De Silva from Sri Lanka are known never to award a dubious decision to India but number of lbw claimed by shocker de Silva against India is amazing !!
Steve Bungler's decision to reprieve Jonty Rhodes by not asking for third umpire run out at a crucial stage in a test in South Africa and his infamous Tendulakr caught behind at the Eden Gardens where there hardly an appeal from the Pak team are examples of his racial prejudices !!
Welcome Mark Benson to this exclusive Club of neutral ICC umpires !!