Evidence is on TV South Africans refuse to comment on umpiring Click here for more on this story Posted: Thursday May 20, 1999 10:55 AM   Cronje: "What's happened in the past is history. We have to stay focussed and try and win." Graham Chadwick/Allsport NORTHAMPTON, England (AP) -- South African captain Hansie Cronje refused to be drawn into controversial umpiring Wednesday that marred his team's 89-run win over Sri Lanka, saying the television evidence was enough to ascertain the truth. Two contentious umpiring decisions rocked South Africa's batting before outstanding bowling enabled it to rout Sri Lanka in its second game of the World Cup Group A. All-rounder Shaun Pollock was adjudged caught by television umpire Ken Palmer, who also judged on an uncertain catch on the boundary that dismissed Daryll Cullinan just when South Africa looked like recovering from a batting slump. Pollock drove Muttiah Muralitharan and the ball deflected to the spinner off the ankle of Ranatunga, fielding at silly point. Steve Dunne referred to Palmer as the Sri Lankans claimed the catch. After at least seven minutes and a dozen replays showing the ball hitting the turf before bouncing off Ranatunga, Palmer gave Pollock out. "It isn't as though those two decisions affected our batting," skipper Hansie Cronje later told reporters. "We got ourselves into trouble. We are not going to use those as excuses. "The evidence is there on television. I'll leave it up to you guys to make a decision. We can't get involved in that and we'd rather not," he said. Cronje said the most important thing was to keep calm and stay focused on the job at hand rather than being upset about it. "It is very important that we remain calm. That's the way you win games. What's happened in the past is history. We have to stay focussed and try and win," he said. South Africa, unbeaten after two matches, takes the other unbeaten team, England, on Saturday at The Oval. "Both teams will be vying for psychological points in that match," said coach Bob Woolmer. "It is an important game for both teams and every point will count. Cronje complimented his bowlers for reducing the much vaunted Sri Lankan batting lineup to 31 for five while defending a meager 199 runs and dismissed them for 110 runs. "A captain always looks good when his bowlers bowl the way they did today," Cronje said. South Africa also fought back against India at Hove to defeat it. "Ever since I can remember, it has always been 'never say die' in the South African camp. It is not only in cricket. It goes to all walks of life," Cronje said.   Related information Stories CNN/SI Sri Lanka Team Page CNN/SI South Africa Team Page White ball, tight umpiring produce extra extras South Africa bowls over Sri Lanka to win by 89 runs Sri Lanka admits to selection blunder Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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