Image credit- AFP
Following his lbw dismissal in Australia’s victory
over Sri Lanka on Monday in Lucknow, David Warner demanded for increased umpire
accountability and aired his anger at the ball-tracking technology. Warner
batted back to a ball delivered by left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka and was
ruled out lbw on the pitch by umpire Joel Wilson for 11.
Warner instantly reviewed the choice, but when ball
tracking revealed that the ball had really struck the outside of the leg stump,
he was extremely shocked and furious. Australia kept the review since the
umpire’s decision stood, but Warner yelled as he left. He advocated for
umpires’ individual decision % figures to be displayed on the big screen
similarly to how batting statistics are displayed in a speech on Tuesday in
which he also discussed why he was furious and what he had said to Wilson
following the ejection.
“I just sprayed out loud in frustration pretty
much – not just at myself – but [because] it kept low, and normally when
something hits me on the leg on the outside, I know it’s pretty much going down
leg,” Warner said. “I asked Joel when I was out there just what
happened, why did he give it out. He said the ball was swinging back. To his
credit, if he thinks that then that’s why he’s given the decision. But then
when you see the replay of how it unfolded, you get a little bit annoyed. That’s
out of our control.
“There’s a lot to say in terms of what I’d like
to see. This probably won’t get across, but players’ stats go up on the board
as you walk out to bat. When they announce the umpires, and they come up on the
screen, I’d love to see their stats come up on the board as well. Because we
see that in the NRL (National Rugby League). NRL shows those stats. I think the
NFL (National Football League) shows those stats [as well]. I think it’s a
great thing for the spectators to see as well.
“Obviously players get dropped for poor
performances. It’s never explained to us what goes on with the panel. It’s just
an indicator. It’s just little things to show spectators [that] it’s not easy.
You can explain where it’s not easy, [and] why it’s not easy, and then when
good decisions are made, they can explain it. I just think it’s something that
could be explored.”