Hansie cool over controversial TV replay action (19 May 1999)

19 May 1999

Hansie cool over controversial TV replay action

Trevor Chesterfield

Northampton (England) - John Reid is still as tough as they come. When he was New Zealand captain, the Northerns coach and now International Cricket Council match referee at this World Cup.

Known for keeping a strict code of conduct policy, he is not one to listen to idle chatter as the world body attempts to clean up the game. While did not say it in as many words on a day when controversy stalked South Africa's match against Sri Lanka, the message was clear to Hansie Cronje's side.

"Keep it clean and no chirps" he seemed to say. Which is fair enough.

Which is no doubt why Cronje refused to comment when asked what he thought of the controversial dismissal of Shaun Pollock in the South Africa innings. Any game which has Arjuna Ranatunga as one of the players is likely to get a spark or two going. His claiming of a catch against Pollock when the ball hit his shin was later shown to have more than a touch of doubt.

Pollock, battling to rescue South Africa, drove a ball from Muttiah Muralitharan; it went into the turf hit Ranatunga's shin and bounced up for the bowler to claim a "catch".

"If you saw the replay on TV you can draw your own conclusions," was one of his comments.

Which was similar to one made to Bob Willis when the TV commentator for Sky TV suggested that the captain's "coolness was remarkable when you see some of the TV replays.

Then Ken Palmer, the third umpire got it wrong. Which suggests that the catches by camera ruling in for this tournament needs to be re-examined. Unless the camera is placed in such a position there is no doubt at all that pressure is being forced on an umpire to decide whether to press a red or green button.

It was a total screw up as each replay undid the umpire's decision, and no doubt made in good faith.

And the length of time he took to make up his mind led to an embarrassing slow hand clap.

Palmer also had a hiccup over the catch which got rid of Daryll Cullinan. Under the revised law the batsman was out, but he seemed uncertain when New Zealander Steve Dunne referred it to the replay.

Sure Chaminda Vaas took the catch, only the uncertainty remained.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield