Feedback for the Mahela Jayawardene Non-Walking After The
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Feedback for the Mahela Jayawardene non-walking after the catch http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia- 2011/engine/match/516213.html?innings=3;page=2;view=commentary Jason: "Is Mahela the worst non-walker in the world? Stands there after every low taken catch. Surprised he doesn't ask for a video review when he gets bowled." He was spot-on this time mate, he had every right to have it confirmed, either from the square leg umpire, or from the third umpire Aman: "The only way I would agree with taking the opposition's word on catches is if they would also agree to walk every time they knew they had hit it (and the ball was caught, of course). If the intent is to take the game out of the umpire's hands and trust the players, then that's got to apply at all times and not just when they're fielding...." We have gone that way before and messed it up badly, haven't we? David: "What's up with not taking a fielders word? You are basically calling the guy a cheat... if he didn't catch it, I'm sure a replay would pick it up before he got off the field!" I recall an instance when Clarke did not walk after edging a spinner to first slip, on the cut. Enough said Dave: "Re low catches. I remember Ricky Ponting before the start of a series would go to the opposing Captain and try to work out a deal where everyone would take the fielders word. He got knocked back every time. Leave it to the Umpires was their reply. In the end he just gave up ...." Dave, let's not get started about Punter and 'agreements' with the opposition captain john: "Who actually asked for the review, was it the umpire or Mahela? If the latter how come it's not classed as a referral?" It wasn't a review as he had not been given out, at least not by the on-field umpires, who decided to check with the third umpire whether the ball carried to Clarke Shawry: "The problem with fielder's word on catches is many fielders seem to think they have caught it when clearly they haven't. Given the biggest problem is the foreshortening of a big zoom lense, and most low catches are in the cordon, why not have a rear-facing camera in each stump low to the ground? No zoom issues and can be in best position." Steve: "On field umpires should take more responsibility to advise the third umpire on low catches. How many times to we see a catch ruled out because of the optical illusion caused by 2D camera makes it look like the ball bounced first. More common sense is needed." Noble thought, not sure how you do that though, benefit of any doubt has traditionally gone to batsmen Ranjith: "I have been involved in Cricket in WA for over 30 years. I started when Cricket was a "Sport" unfortunately now Cricket is a "Job". The Sportsmanship we talk about is now no longer that, It is the survival of a job protecting your place in the team. Money has taken over Cricket and as the Chairman of the Cricket Council of Western Australia I am trying my hardest to prevent this from coming in to Grade Cricket in WA. It will be sad day when this happens." The stakes are way too high really Paul: "The reaction I am most struck by is VVS Laxman - he always looks absolutely horrified whenever he gets out caught. Then it gives way to utter, abject dismay. It's so tragic!" He also gives a shocked stare to the poor non- striker Aaron: "Marcus, Andrew is talking about the instances of bowlers and fielders appealing when they know it is not out and are trying to pull the woolies over the umpires. Very different to asking a "Howizzzzzzzat" when you think you have a wicket." smudgeon: "There are always going to be the honest cricketers, the dishonest ones, and the ones who have no bloody idea if they've caught it/knicked it/etc. I would hope it all evens out over time, however we do love the idea of the "spirit of the game"." marcus: "@ Andrew- the very nature of appealing is because you are wondering if its out, no bowler or fielder can be 100% sure if its out or not, hence the appeal, don't think this is quite the same." Rasika: "It is up to umpires to make the decision to go to third umpire. They did because they were not sure and had to make the correct decision. What if Mahela took Clarke's word and walk off and replays shows ball bounced. Leave the decison making to the umpires." Andrew brings in an angle that is unfortunately not brought up much: "Why when this interminable debate starts about walking etc do we never comment on fielders/bowlers appealing for catches/lbws they know aren't out? They appeal for everything and leave it to the umpire, and no-one has a shot at them when guys get given out when they didn't hit it, yet the batsman is the bad guy if he stands his ground." Paul: "I love how even though he's 10000 miles away, poor old Ricky still gets dragged into debates about sportsmanship and who caught who. Hopefully he's remembered more for his pull shot and strokeplay than this rot..." Of course he will be remembered more for the pull shot, for the shuffle, and for that Old Trafford innings among a million solid ones Paul. David: "Walking is just not a good idea. It was such a novelty when Gilchrist started doing it seriously. But if its a close game and you're the last wicket, are you going to walk or not?" Don't think most would, but the point here is more about whether or not to take the fielder's word for the catch, pretty iffy area if you ask me, especially with technology available, however, if replays prove inconclusive, there could be a case made for accepting the fielder's word, too many cases when batsman get the benefit for very close catches on account of inconclusive replays. But, that's a grey area again, well then. Abdul: "I have seen Mahela walk when he nicks but on close catches, he does tend to loaf around." Ben: "I didn't think there was anything wrong with the Clarke/Mahela incident, Clarke was firm in his stance that he caught it and Mahela was well within his rights to wait for the reply. It was handled pretty calmly by both parties." Shawry: "Nobody walks all the time. The best solution is Ponting's. You stand your ground until the umpire tells you you are out. Every time, not picking and choosing which ones to walk on depending on how likely you might be to get away with it. "Walking" has NEVER, in the history of the game, been the norm." Fair enough, but Punter has also walked on occasion Robert Brown: "Hey everyone, remember Andrew Symonds , given not out, the only person who thought he was not out was his mother, he admitted on T.V that he hit the ball, but said it was the umpires job to give him out, he went on to make 160, and the man of the match award, so my point is don't throw stones at other people or teams when you know your own also flaunt the rules." .