Run out call bugs Stewart
Posted: Tuesday January 05, 1999 02:53 PM
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Stewart: " ... we underperformed in the first three test matches and in the last two we came back strong" AP |
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- England captain Alec Stewart made it clear Tuesday he believed his team might have leveled the Ashes series against Australia but for a close run-out call in the fifth test.
Australian opener Michael Slater got the benefit of the doubt from television umpire Simon Taufel when 35 on Monday. He made 123 and the decision was worth 87 to Australia.
Slater's innings enabled Australia to set England 287 to win the test but the visitors were bowled out for 188, 98 runs adrift.
"I haven't seen it and I haven't watched it on purpose," Stewart said Tuesday after Australia wrapped up the series 3-1.
"I saw it on the big screen, it wasn't that clear but I think Slater's reaction gives you a clue and I'm yet to see anyone who's told me it wasn't out.
"It's disappointing we didn't have the cameras in place but there's also the question of do you need a more experienced third umpire." Taufel is 27.
Stewart stopped short of saying the decision decided the match.
"If he's run out for 35 we may not have been chasing 280, but the outcome I couldn't tell you," Stewart said.
Later, in summing up the difference in the match where Australian batsmen had two centuries and one score of 96 in contrast to England's sole half-century, Stewart revisited the run out decision.
"Slater made a tremendous attacking hundred in the second stroke third innings," Stewart said.
Stewart, leading England in an Ashes series for the first time, did admit that the team cost itself dearly with its poor performances in the opening three tests and said "3-1 was a fair reflection."
"We know we underperformed in the first three test matches and in the last two we came back strong," Stewart said. "We showed a lot of fight."
Australian captain Mark Taylor said there was a marked difference between the England team from the first three matches and the outfit that won in Melbourne.
"There were moments in the first three tests which could have gone either way and they went to us quite easily," Taylor said. "In the last two that wasn't the case."
Australia's Shane Warne has been the bane of England in recent series and Stuart MacGill proved an exceptional replacement. He topped the wicket-taking charts with 27 including 12-107 in Sydney and continued to expose flaws in England's approach to leg-spin.
"We didn't master it is the honest answer," Stewart admitted. "On helpful wickets to spinners, they bowled very well and we came unstuck. If we don't have top quality spinners back home you're not going to find we have top quality batsmen who can play spin well."
Stewart has the England job until after the World Cup in midyear and he said he hoped he and coach David Lloyd would continue the partnership after that limited-overs tournament.
"I'm captain up until the end of the World Cup then it's up to the authorities to say carry on or get someone else in," Stewart said. "I love playing for England and I've certainly enjoyed captaining England."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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