Cricket: Aldridge wants more technology

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Former test umpire Brian Aldridge has called for increased use of video technology in tests and one-day internationals.

Aldridge, who stood in 26 tests, the last in the 1995-96 season, and these days is national umpiring manager for New Zealand Cricket, said yesterday: "I'm an advocate for using whatever technology is available except, perhaps, for leg-before decisions."

In the time since Aldridge retired from umpiring, technology has improved, but only doubtful catches - when the ball might have hit the ground first - have been added to the list of decisions that umpires can refer to the third umpire.

In the controversial final test between Australia and New Zealand in Perth, the third umpire was asked to adjudicate on a catch by Craig McMillan - in front of the wicket - which sent Brett Lee packing.

There was not the same provision, however, for the same intervention in catches taken behind the wicket by Adam Parore, which would have ended the innings of Shane Warne, Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie, but were ruled out by the umpires.

"That is why people have advocated the use of technology," Aldridge said. "There is a feeling that it should be used if it is going to help in getting more decisions right.

"At present, umpires can only go upstairs for run outs, stumpings, hit-wicket decisions, checking on balls over the boundary and doubtful [bump-ball] catches."

Aldridge conceded that the technology - including the innovative "snickometer" - might not be available in all test-playing countries.

Of the performance of Zimbawean umpire Ian Robinson in Perth, Aldridge, who stood with him in matches at the 1992 World Cup in New Zealand, said: "He had a bad test. I'm sure he's not happy." Robinson has officiated in nearly 30 tests.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden labelled the umpiring as "sub-standard."

He said he would send a letter of complaint about Robinson to the International Cricket Council.

He could not believe the Gillespie decision in particular. "It just seemed so obvious to the naked eye."

Snedden said he hoped Robinson would not receive another test appointment before being phased out after the ICC's new eight-man elite test panel comes into operation in April.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph described Robinson's performance as "D-minus." The Sydney Morning Herald went further, saying: "The New Zealanders were denied by an umpire hard of hearing."

Commenting on the umpires was off limits for captains Stephen Fleming and Steve Waugh.

New Zealanders will be happy that Robinson, who was also the centre of controversy when New Zealand played in Zimbabwe in September last year when he gave Mark Richardson out leg-before on 99, is not coming to New Zealand for the tests against Bangladesh.

The two neutral umpires who will stand with their New Zealand counterparts in the matches in Hamilton and Wellington will be South African Dave Orchard and Australian Daryl Harper, who also had his time in the spotlight after ruling Justin Langer was not out leg-before in the first over of the opening test against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Langer went on to score 104 in a record opening partnership with Matthew Hayden of 224.

* Dion Nash is keen to play club cricket on Saturday and could make the Auckland team for the match against Bangladesh at Eden Park from Wednesday.