Former Test umpire John Holder says that the International Cricket Council (ICC) made an error by appointing the inexperienced Sri Lankan umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge to do matches at the ongoing World Cup in England and Wales.
Palliyaguruge had a horrible match when he officiated in the West Indies versus Australia match in Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on June 6. He missed a crucial no-ball by Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc the ball before Windies opener Chris Gayle was eventually trapped lbw, which means it should have been a 'free hit'. He also had two decisions overturned in favour of the West Indies in the match.
In last Saturday's match between the West Indies and New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester, Palliyaguruge continued his poor form. The very first ball of the match bowled by Windies pacer Sheldon Cottrell crashed into the leg of Kiwi opener Martin Guptil and Palliyaguruge ruled not out, only for the decision to be reversed on review.
Commenting on the Sri Lankan’s officiating, Holder, who officiated in 11 Test matches, said: "The ICC should not have appointed him to do matches at this level. From what I understand, he does not have the experience for this level and to put him in there is not fair.
"Umpires give decisions in good faith but with all the review systems around know they are scrutinised much more than we were."
The 72-year old Holder, who is Barbadian-born and married to a Trinidadian, has been in England for many decades and played county cricket for Hampshire. He officiated in his last match in 2001 when the West Indies played England at the Kennington Oval in London.
On the task officials of today are faced with, Holder said: "Umpiring these days is a very hard job because there are about 30 cameras around the ground monitoring the cricket. When an umpire gives a decision and it is reviewed and showed on the big screen and is not in their favour, it must be very frustrating for them.
“They have to remain strong and just lock out the crowd. My advice to them has always been to just focus on what they see and don't let the appeal of the players or the roar of the crowd sway their decision. Just look carefully at the game and take your time and make a decision.”
He added, "Steve Bucknor was one of the best umpires because he took his time in making decisions, playing it over in his head before committing."
The Jamaican-born Bucknor umpired in a record 128 Test matches and 181 One Day Internationals between 1989 and 2009, including five consecutive Cricket World Cup finals from 1992 to 2007.