We don't intimidate umpires, claims Lee

Brett Lee believes appealing influences umpires, but its not a planned effort © Getty Images

Brett Lee has objected to claims made by Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, that the Australian team intimidated the umpires during the recent Pakistan series. Lee said that while forceful appealing was intended to influence the umpires' decision, he felt that he and his team-mates had been well within the limits. Woolmer had claimed that the umpires were subconsciously pressurised by Australian appeals and the crowds, which resulted into close calls going 29-6 against Pakistan.

"Hopefully being a bowler you can sway the umpire to give him out. I have not seen a problem with the way the Australian cricket team has been appealing and we only appeal when we think it should be out," Lee told AAP. "There has been a lot written about it and sure umpires make mistakes, they're only human."

Lee said that it was difficult for the umpires to make a judgment in a split second and that those that criticise them have the advantage of watching the slow-motion replays several times. "I think we should give them a pat on the back because they have done a pretty good job," he said, before suggesting the selection of neutral umpires in one-day internationals to prevent allegations of home side favouritism.

"Umpires don't cheat, that is common knowledge," he said. "It would be nice to put those rumours to bed and have neutral umpires in a 50 over match."

Lee also spoke about Billy Bowden, the New Zealand umpire, whose often comical manner of umpiring has grabbed much attention. "Sometimes when you do look around and you've bowled a wide and you see him stretch his arms out like a pelican it is not the most flattering thing," he said. "You want to just go up to him and push his arms back down."

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