English cricket chiefs in call for umpiring debate

Three of the most prominent figures in English cricket have spoken out on the issue of umpiring following the controversial Second Test in Kandy.

Lord MacLaurin, David Graveney and Nasser Hussain have all expressed their concern over both the treatment and the standard of umpires in the Sri Lankan and England series. They have called for the ICC to take steps to ensure that long-term improvements can be reached.

MacLaurin, the Chairman of the ECB, called for the players to stop applying undue pressure on the umpires, and reminded them of their responsibilities.

"I think this incessant appealing is totally unnecessary and puts huge pressure on the umpires as both captains said after the match yesterday. We've got to get that out of the game and the players have to bear their full responsibility to do that."

MacLaurin did express the hope, however, that the deciding encounter in the series will be played in better spirit: "Both captains have quite clearly said that they regret what went on," he said. "I'm sure the match referee will get the captains together and I hope and pray that the Third Test is very competitive and played in a much better spirit than the last one."

MacLaurin also issued a call for a closer look at the use of technology in the game. "We should also look and see how we can use technology sensibly; we don't want to slow the game down but we have to get our decisions better," he said.

He did admit that the standard of umpiring generally could be improved, though, and called for the use of two neutral umpires to be made mandatory by the ICC.

"That is something that the chief executive of the ECB, Tim Lamb, and myself will be urging the ICC to bring forward on the agenda because I think this should happen sooner rather than later," he told BBC Radio. " We probably, in this country, have the best umpires in the world because our umpires stand in professional county cricket for five months of the year. [We should] see how we can train our umpires better and educate them better so we get a much more professional operation than we quite clearly have at the moment."

Meanwhile, David Graveney, who combines his duties as chairman of selectors with his role as Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, commented: "I'm adamant that the players have to have a say in what happens. The players are the 22 guys who play out in the middle; any decisions would affect them and it's folly for any governing body to run the game and not talk to the players."

Graveney has arranged to speak to the Sri Lankan Players' chief Roshan Mahanama to discuss the current situation tomorrow.

"We have to talk about which direction the game is going once the dust has settled on yesterday's events," said Graveney. "Thousands of people have come out to that Test and seen what has gone on and I have some concerns about this at any level of cricket.

"Umpiring is an extremely difficult job to do, but better decisions mean less dissent and we've got to look at the situation."

Graveney also echoed the words of MacLaurin, admitting that the players carry a burden of responsibility to exemplify the standards of behaviour acceptable on the pitch.

"Whatever happens on the international stage is broadcast on television and every young child in the whole country will have been watching and will probably copy what has happened. We have a massive responsibility and we've all got to sit down and talk this through."

Hussain will join MacLaurin, Graveney and Duncan Fletcher to discuss the situation prior to the Third Test, starting in Colombo on Thursday.

Hussain has won well-earned admiration for the way in which he has reacted in adversity this winter. He was typically tactful, but keen for people to acknowledge the problems the team have encountered in Sri Lanka.

"I don't know if these two games are in isolation or not, but if you speak to Alec Stewart and Michael Atherton who have played 107 Tests, they will tell you they can't remember two games like this.

"I have to be careful what I say, but it's the decision-making that's caused the problem over the last two games," continued Hussain. "It needs to be looked at because it's hard enough for me just to get 11 cricketers ready for playing a Test match without worrying about other people's jobs as well."

Hussain, too, called for intervention from the ICC in the hope that a lasting solution could be reached.

"There are a lot of suggestions flying around and I think it's time the ICC sat down and had an open forum to discuss it properly, that must be done sooner rather than later."