Unsportsmanlike appealing

The number of incorrect decisions, which is an understood part of the game, given that the umpires are only human, weighed too heavily against our weaker West Indian team. The law of averages did not work out in this instance, especially against our premier player, Brian Lara.

The 3-0 result, although probably inevitable, given the pedigree and ranking of both teams, and Australia being at home, may have been different if a few of these poor decisions went our way.

The disparity in poor decisions against the WI only leads one to speculate if there is more to this than simply bad luck. Is there a bias against the West Indies by the so-called "elite" umpires? I would think not, although many in this region will argue this point.

However what I am convinced of, is that the appealing tactics used by the Australians, a ploy in their overall game plan, are less than sportsmanlike to say the least.

The ICC must come down swiftly and severely on unsportsmanlike appealing to protect the game. Appealing is an integral part of the sport of cricket; a batsman cannot be "given" out unless there is an appeal. It is clear that the Australians have studied and "perfected" the art of appealing.

However where must one draw the line and identify whether the methodology of appealing practised is less than fair? Given the already mentioned fact that the umpires are only human, an unfair and overdone appeal could sway the decision-making of an uncertain umpire in the appealing team’s favour.

If a player is proven (by the match referee) to be using unfair or unsportsmanlike tactics in his method of appealing, he must be banned for at least one game. Only then will the practice of unsportsmanlike appealing be removed from the game.

DR NIGEL CAMACHO

Cascade