Do away with concept of neutral umpires
Mark Benson's abrupt exit from the Test series in Australia is an indication of the strain umpires experience by constantly travelling overseas, writes Simon Wilde in the Times
Siddhartha Talya
25-Feb-2013
Mark Benson's abrupt exit from the Test series in Australia is an indication of the strain umpires experience by constantly travelling overseas, writes Simon Wilde in the Times. He argues that umpires should be allowed to officiate in matches involving home teams, for the referral system, despite its imperfections, can ensure there is less scope for any bias in decision-making.
Apart from anything else the repatriation of ICC umpires might encourage more good men to make themselves available for the elite panel, because there have been some – such as Peter Willey – who have been put off by the excessive travel. And with the role of the third official now of so much more importance, the more good men the ICC can call on the better.
The fact that Benson has felt it necessary to set up a second home in Florida to ease his amount of travelling says a lot. ICC umpires are not so much citizens of the world, as nomads. That in itself must be stressful and, ultimately, soul-destroying.
Siddhartha Talya is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo