It is, isn't it?
4 years jail?His cricket and professional careers ended when he was convicted in August 1999 of 15 separate counts of ***ual assault against nine schoolgirls of ages 10-12 while teaching at a Catholic primary school between 1981 and 1982.[2][3][4] He was sentenced to four years jail with a two-year minimum, and was released on parole in May 2002.[2]
Wow, terrible stuff.
I remember that match. The umpiring was so bad you could stick a tail on it and call it a weasel. It ended up working in England's favour though as BC Cooray in the second Test refused to give any English batsman out. Nasser Hussain had at least four innings (to be fair to him he'd been sawn off several times in Pakistan and Sri Lanka that winter) in making a century. He even gave Hick Not Out from a straight forward caught and bowled off Murali.I recall Alex Stewart being given LBW by a 'home' umpire in Sri Lanka when Jayasuryia was bowling over the wicket, and quite wide out. The ball pitched at least a foot outside of leg stump and likely wouldn't have hit them anyway.
.
Probably 'how I can I get everyone to look at me'Kiser Hayat - mentioned earlier, was - shall we say - selective in his decision making. Another Pakistani, Shakeel Khan I think his name was, in the 80s seemed quite creative when the mood suited.
I recall Alex Stewart being given LBW by a 'home' umpire in Sri Lanka when Jayasuryia was bowling over the wicket, and quite wide out. The ball pitched at least a foot outside of leg stump and likely wouldn't have hit them anyway.
Steve Bucknor was actually an excellent umpire until the final couple of years of his career when his standards slipped. The same was also true of David Shepherd - the best umpire I have seen.
I have been told by someone in the know that Billy Bowden wasn't rated at all by the players - Australia often tried to get him bumped from their games, and sometimes succeeded. Of the recent ones he's the least impressive. Too many times I couldn't see what he was thinking.
Of course, many are happy to throw out the glib term 'shocker' for a decision where the umpire has made a slight error, shown up by myriad camera angles and fairly accurate technology. These people have never done any worthwhile umpiring.
I suppose he was "excellent" back in 1994 when he had no idea how many overs were left and allowed Australia's batsmen to shake the England fielders' hands and almost walk all the way to the pavilion before realising he ****ed up and told them to play another over?Steve Bucknor was actually an excellent umpire until the final couple of years of his career when his standards slipped. The same was also true of David Shepherd - the best umpire I have seen.
.
Oh god fully agree.also Rudi's slow finger always made me roll my eyes. Nobody watches cricket for your melodrama mate
There was a stretch in 2011 where Dar was on fire and barely got any decisions wrong. He had like 15-20 decisions referred in the 2011 World cup and not one of them was overturned iirc. Obviously there were several umpire's calls, but it was still impressive.Aleem Dar pre-beard > Aleem Dar with beard
Because of the fact that he was a bowler, he knows the plight of the trade to be turned down.Pistol Reiffel seems like a pretty damn good umpire on the other hand
I mean, that usually isn't a schtickOh god fully agree.
Hate umpires who want to make a big spectacle and be the centre of attention out there. Bowden, Rudi's slow finger nonsense, even Bucknor's "I'll wait for until the bowler stops appealing and almost runs in to bowl the next ball before giving the batsman out" shtick. Shepherd atleast only did it for one specific moment, so it was forgivable.
Another reason why Taufel was the best. No bull****, solid decision making and was handsome as **** just doing his thing.
I mean, that usually isn't a schtick
Part of what made them Elite umpires was their ability to keep their cool and review the appeal thoroughly in their head before giving it out
You are told specifically, as an umpire, to not be quick on pulling the trigger. To think decisions over. That it's better to be slow than to be wrong. It's why you're allowed to make a decision anytime before the next ball is supposed to be bowled
If you want bad umpiring look for those who don't seem to review their decisions enough and tend to go on gut feeling instead
I mean I can't say that without knowing themthat excuses Bucknor, but will you accept Rudi and Bowden were attention seeking man children? Bowden especially.