The Ashes 2013: Relations good between players and umpires despite DRS faults

Alastair Cook (L), captain of England shakes hands with Michael Clarke, Australia captain

Alastair Cook and his Australian counterpart Michael Clarke have affirmed that relations between the players and officials were good despite the recent mishaps with the Decision Review System (DRS).

The captains though, have admitted that they were confused by some of the happenings in the Test matches played so far. In the third Test match at Manchester, Australian batsmen Usman Khawaja was given out when he had clearly not edged the ball to first slip.

The reviewed decision was however still upheld against the batsmen, causing widespread criticism of the third umpire Kumar Dharmasena who had adjudicated on the decision. James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive took the matter further, and even asked for a clarification from the ICC regarding why the decision was not overturned.

On the final day of the third Test, Kevin Pietersen was given out caught behind off the bowling of Peter Siddle. The decision was reviewed and hotspot did not show any indication of a nick. The third umpire however upheld the decision based on the sound produced, when the ball had passed bat, leaving a non too pleased Pietersen.

Clarke himself had argued against leaving the field due to bad light on the fourth evening of the Test. He however clarified the same.

“Relations are fine. I think you always want every decision to go your way – I think it is about respecting the decision – the system is the same for both teams. There has been some frustrations but that is part of the game,” Michael Clarke told The Sydney Morning Herald.

But Clarke however admitted to being confused at some of the decisions that were made through the game.

“I am confused just at the question,” he said. “Oh look, I have said for a long time that I am a fan of DRS, I am fan of technology in our game and there’s obviously been a couple of occasions where both teams have been a bit confused but the one thing I like about it is it is consistent for both teams.”

The English captain also held a similar view. “I think both sides, especially in this game, have been quite confused with some of the decisions, which have occurred. In practice, DRS has worked really well, maybe apart from this series,” Cook said.

Earlier, Matt Prior had said that he didn’t mind the inclusion of home umpires if it meant better decisions on the field.