SA vs BAN: Bangladesh call for neutral umpires to officiate in international matches, complain of ‘poor’ umpiring standards in first Test

SA vs BAN: Bangladesh call for neutral umpires to officiate in international matches, complain of 'poor' umpiring standards in first Test

Aaditya Anand M

Monday, Apr 4, 2022 11:58 pm

SA vs BAN: Bangladesh on Monday, have called for the return of neutral umpires in international matches. The team will file an official complaint to the ICC against South African umpires Marais Erasmus and Adrian Holdstock as they were claimed to have been ‘inconsistent’ with their decisions that favoured the home team in the first […]

SA vs BAN: Bangladesh on Monday, have called for the return of neutral umpires in international matches. The team will file an official complaint to the ICC against South African umpires Marais Erasmus and Adrian Holdstock as they were claimed to have been ‘inconsistent’ with their decisions that favoured the home team in the first Test at Durban. Follow InsideSport.IN for more updates.

Also Read: SA vs BAN Live: Keshav Maharaj’s 7-wicket haul powers South Africa to 220-run victory as Bangladesh bowled out for 53 on Day 5 – SA beat BAN Highlights

SA vs BAN: Bangladesh call for neutral umpires to officiate in international matches, complain of ‘poor’ umpiring standards in first Test

The first Test was won by South Africa on Monday after Bangladesh, chasing a 274 run target, was bundled out for just 53 within the first hour on Day 5 on Monday.

SA vs BAN: Bangladesh call for neutral umpires to officiate in international matches, complain of ‘poor’ umpiring standards in first Test

SA vs BAN: Bangladesh call for neutral umpires to officiate in international matches, complain of ‘poor’ umpiring standards in first Test

The umpires’ poor decisions came to light during South Africa’s second innings.

Dean Elgar was given not out in the fifth over by Marais Erasmus, after being hit on the back leg. Bangladesh took the review, but Elgar survived as it was an umpire’s call.
Sarel Erwee was then given not out after getting hit plumb in front of the wicket by umpire Adrian Holdstock. The decision was soon overturned after Bangladesh took the review.
Keegan Petersen too survived a close call and Bangladesh didn’t opt for the review this time. Replays however showed the batsman would have been out.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who missed the Test series because of personal reasons, also voiced his opinion with a tweet by saying, “It’s time for ICC to bring in neutral umpires as Covid situation is Ok in most cricket playing countries”

I think it’s time for #Icc to back to neutral umpires as covid situation is ok in most cricket playing countries. #SAvBAN

— Shakib Al Hasan (@Sah75official) April 3, 2022

SA vs BAN: Bangladesh call for neutral umpires to officiate in international matches, complain of ‘poor’ umpiring standards in first Test

Bangladesh players also said that they were constantly sledged by the South African players, but the umpires paid no heed to their on-field complaints. According to ESPNCricinfo, BCB cricket operations chied Jalal Yunus said, “They surrounded our opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy when he went out to bat. They were saying something. He couldn’t say anything as he is a junior player. Instead of controlling the situation, umpires warned our players whenever we made complaints regarding sledging,” he said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

After the game Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque said, “Sledging is quite normal, but the umpires didn’t seem to notice it. The umpiring in the match is not in our control, but I think the ICC should think about bringing back neutral umpires.”

The second Test of the series will begin on Friday, April 8 at St.George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.

SA vs BAN: Bangladesh call for neutral umpires to officiate in international matches, complain of ‘poor’ umpiring standards in first Test

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