The Ashes 2013: England's Matt Prior calls for umpiring changes

England’s Matt Prior believes that the nationality of the umpires should be a non-issue when it comes to appointing officials for a series (Getty Images)

The umpiring in the current Ashes series in England between the hosts and Australia has been marred by a number of controversial decisions from the umpires – both on-field as well as third umpires.

England wicket-keeper Matt Prior has now come forward with his two cents on the piece saying that he would be happy with umpires officiating during the Ashes, even from England, Australia or elsewhere, if it helps in arresting some of the questionable decision making that we have seen during this series.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the English keeper went on to add that while DRS was still the future of the sport, the technology would be pointless unless the people who are using it can come up with the right calls. He went on to add that accuracy in decision making was the priority and not the nationality of the umpires.

“I honestly don’t care where the umpires are from as long as the right decisions are made,” he said.

“I think that is the most important thing at the end of the day that decisions are correct.”

“Aussies, England or anybody, all you want is the right outcome at the end of the day.”

“Once it goes up to the third umpire the decision that comes out has to be the correct decision.”

“Whether the technology needs to be looked at or how they use it, I don’t know. But for the players at the moment that is the biggest frustration.”

The ongoing series between the two rivals has seen a number of DRS decisions go awry due to an error in interpretation from the third umpire. This apart, the on-field umpires have received their fair share of slack for not being able to pick out some straightforward dismissals as well as giving some horrendously shocking ones.

Marais Erasmus, Tony Hill, Kumar Dharmasena and Aleem Dar are the 4 umpires from the ICC Elite panel who have been chose to officiate in both the current Ashes series in England as well as the one set to be played in Australia come the end of the year.

On Day 4, England had their moment of disappointment, when having been completely convinced that David Warner had nicked Stuart Broad during the 10th over of Australia’s 2nd innings, they chose to review the decision after on field umpire Tony Hill turned down their appeals.

Much to their chagrin, the third umpire too opined that England did not have a case for grievance as no evidence propped up on HotSpot.