Ashes furore: MCC persists with neutral Test umpires

LONDON

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The Marylebone Cricket Club has backed neutral umpires in Test matches despite calls for a revamp after the opening Ashes Test was marred by a number of poor decisions. As many as 10 decisions by rookie WI umpire Joel Wilson and Pakistan’s Aleem Dar were overturned by the Decision Review System during last week’s Edgbaston Test. There were at least five more errors that went unreviewed. Wilson equalled the record for reversals when eight of his decisions were successfully appealed by the players. But despite the gaffes, MCC insisted that neutral Test umpiring is still the best way forward. “Ricky Ponting mentioned the prospect of bringing back non-neutral umpires and it is something being discussed by the ICC Cricket Committee as well. But the feeling is neutrality still works,” MCC Head of Cricket John Stephenson said. 

New Delhi

PT Usha is Asian athletes’ commission member

Legendary Indian sprinter PT Usha has been made a member of the Athletes Commission of the Asian Athletics Association in recognition of her stellar achievements at the continental stage. The 55-year-old, who was the leading sprinter of her time in Asia, will be one of the six members of the AAA Athletes Commission, to be headed by 1992 Olympics gold medallist hammer thrower Andrey Abduvaliyev of Uzbekistan. 

Coimbatore

Indian Bank lifts PSG Trophy

Indian Bank lifted the prestigious PSG Trophy after defeating Indian Army 79-61 in the final of 55th All India Basketball tournament. Hari Ram scored 29 points and Gineeb Benny and Suriya 14 each for the winners, while Suresh Kumar scored 14 and Issac Thomas 12 for the losing finalists. KSEB defeated Indian Air Force 76-73 to finish third. — Agencies