My mistakes may have cost India the Sydney Test: Bucknor

New Delhi, July 19

Former West Indies umpire Steve Bucknor, who was at the centre of an umpiring controversy in the 2008 Sydney Test match between India and Australia, has said that his umpiring errors might have cost India dearly.

Angry Indian cricket fans remember Bucknor for his errors in Sydney in a Test India lost by 122 runs, bowled out for 210 on Day 5 after being 115/3 at one stage.

“I made two mistakes in the Sydney Test in 2008,” the 74-year-old Bucknor told a Mumbai tabloid. “Mistake one, which happened when India were doing well, allowed an Australian batsman to get a hundred. Mistake two, on day five, might have cost India the game. But still, they are two mistakes over five days. Was I the first umpire to make two mistakes in a Test? Still, those two mistakes seem to have haunted me.”

The first mistake allowed Andrew Symonds to score 162 after he was given not out on 30 by Bucknor.

The second mistake caused India to lose Rahul Dravid’s wicket when India were 115/3 in the chase of 333. Dravid was given out caught-behind though replays showed that there was a big gap between bat and ball. His wicket for 38 led to the lower order being exposed.

Australia took an unassailable 2-0 with the win in Sydney, but Bucknor was dropped for the next match following pressure by the Indian board.

“You need to know why mistakes are made,” the West Indian said. “You don’t want to make similar mistakes again. I am not giving excuses but there are times when the wind is blowing down the pitch and the sound travels with the wind. The commentators hear the nick from the stump mic but the umpires may not be sure. These are things spectators won’t know.” — TNS

Ian Chappell says DRS encourages player dissent

New Delhi: Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has called for an overhaul of the Decision Review System, saying it is encouraging dissent from the players in its existing state. In the ongoing Test series between England and West Indies, three reviews are awarded per innings, one extra than usual. “‘The umpire is always right and you don’t argue with his decision’ used to be the first lesson a young cricketer was taught. This admirable exercise in discipline and self-control is now not applicable as the introduction of DRS is encouraging a form of player dissent,” Chappell wrote for ESPNcricinfo. PTI