Strange signals to Prince

It is true that Prince has often encountered the second new ball from his more customary middle-innings role, but that is still rather different from tackling it at the very outset. Ironically he is now going the way of the axed McKenzie, who had made the Test move from a lower spot to the front strikingly successfully until this season, where he has looked scratchy and vulnerable both away and home against the Australians.

The third umpire acting as a consultant and feeding the on-field umpire certain pieces of information based on what he sees and then letting him review his decision makes no sense. This method further complicates the situation and can further embarrass the umpires. Once a referral has been made the decision must be taken out of the on-field umpires' hands and be left to the sole discretion of the third umpire. His decision must be based solely on technology and have no human influence if the system is to work.