Slater leads call for umpiring improvement
Posted: Monday January 04, 1999 12:52 PM
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After being victimized by a bad call, Slater is calling for improvements in umpiring Clive Mason/Allsport |
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Australian opener Michael Slater led the call for an improvement in the vision available to third umpires after receiving a vital benefit of the doubt in the fifth test against England on Monday.
Slater appeared to be caught short of his ground when 35 and went on to make 123 of Australia's 184 as the hosts set England a tough target of 287 to level the series 2-2.
Third umpire Simon Taufel had just two angles to judge from after a throw from Dean Headley shattered the stumps. One was obscured by bowler Peter Such and the other was from down the ground.
While some grounds, such as Lord's in London, have installed cameras along the batting creases, Sydney relies on the vision shot by the host television broadcaster.
"If you're going to have a third umpire get the cameras in place so it's conclusive," said Slater, who scored his 11th test hundred Monday.
"If you had a camera on the other side of the ground square on there's no doubt you'd know one way or the other."
A spokesman for Lord's said the technology had cost about US$150,000 but could be moved to other venues.
It was the second third umpire decision to go against England at a crucial time in the series. The tourists lodged an official complaint against TV umpire Paul Angley after he gave Mike Atherton out to a dubious catch in the third test at Adelaide.
"I knew it was close, all direct hits are close and there's no doubt I got the benefit of the doubt simply because of the camera angles," Slater said.
Slater said he was spent an anxious period waiting for Taufel to make the call, but believed he made the only decision possible based on the insufficient evidence.
"The umpire could only make judgment on what he saw at the time," said Slater. "He took his time, it was a good three or four minutes, and made the decision he thought was right."
Slater got 87 more than he maybe deserved and the innings is likely to prove the difference between the sides.
He scored 66.85 percent of Australia's runs. There has only been one more dominant innings in the 1,438 tests and that was back in the very first one when Australia's Charles Bannerman scored 165 of 2245 at 67.34 percent.
"It's certainly up there as an innings for me," said Slater. "It was very satisfying. Under the circumstances, with wickets falling throughout, it's nice that I stuck to the task, not only staying out there but sticking with the positive attitude."
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