In a fiery outburst following his lbw dismissal during Australia’s recent victory over Sri Lanka, David Warner has called for increased accountability among cricket umpires. The incident occurred when Warner, facing the deliveries of Sri Lankan left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka, was given out lbw by umpire Joel Wilson for just 11 runs.
Warner, visibly irate, immediately reviewed the decision, only to be baffled when ball-tracking technology indicated that the ball was hitting the outside of the leg stump. Though the review ultimately upheld the on-field decision, Warner couldn’t contain his frustration.
“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 was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.
“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,” Warner continued explaining his moment of outburst.
You definitely know which umpires are going to give those 50-50 ones when it hits the pad: Warner
Furthermore, the southpaw called for greater transparency in umpiring performance, suggesting that their individual decision percentage stats should be displayed on the big screen, much like players’ batting statistics.
“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,” Warner added.
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The Australian cricketer also emphasized that he does not suspect bias among the elite panel of umpires but desires increased accountability. Interestingly enough, from Warner’s perspective, he believes that the situation regarding 50 per cent calls gets even more annoying when a player a good or renowned umpire gives the ‘benefit of the doubt’ to the batter in concern but it ends up at players like him getting out.
“You definitely know which umpires are going to give those 50-50 ones when it hits the pad, and that’s where from my perspective it gets frustrating. There’s no bias in anything. It’s just that you feel like that as a player sometimes,” the explosive Australian opener stated.
Warner’s frustration wasn’t limited to the umpires. He also took aim at the ball-tracking technology provider Hawk-Eye, arguing that players are left in the dark about how the technology works. There have been plenty of moments in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, where fans and players alike have debated about the technology.
“I’ve never had Hawk-Eye come in and explain to us how the technology actually works; it’s just for the TV. If they could come in and explain to us how it works, then sometimes we might not refer, or [actually] refer it,” Warner concluded.