Giles Clarke is right over cricket's referrals system
Now TV companies see their chance to become part of the game. Treat with caution the claims that the referral system must be deployed in the interests of fair play. It enshrines television in the laws of cricket. That’s going too far. And it’s simply not necesssary.
For as long as cricket has been played, the decisions of umpires have been final. Misjudgments and errors are part of the game – and accepted as such.
I know very few players and coaches who aren’t big enough to handle that in the knowledge that what comes around goes around. Get sawn off for a blob today. Score a ton tomorrow, even though you nicked off to the ’keeper on 13. From village green to Lord’s, cricketers have dealt with such vicissitudes.
It’s not as though referrals are a panacea anyway is it? Some decisions remain uncertain if you study the replays till the cows come home. And what about the flow of a match? Part of cricket’s joy is the steady flow of a session. The continuity. The building pressure. Stopping for referrals punctures all that.
And some great moments would be lost. Picture the last ball of Edgbaston 2005. “The Greatest Test” reaches a climax. Everyone leaps to their feet. Joy unconfined.
But hold on. The Aussies call for a referral. For the historic moment all eyes leave the field for the television screen. Ugh.
Thank heaven for Giles Clarke. Visionary and leader. Fight the good fight mate.
I’m going for a lie down.
