Zimbabwean cricket umpire Ian Robinson wants the public to understand how tough his job is after he was slated for his performance in New Zealand's test draw with Australia on Tuesday.
Robinson, 54, made two crucial decisions which television replays showed were wrong as New Zealand closed in on an unlikely
series victory in Perth.
Caught behind decisions went in favour of Australian batsmen Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie before Australia ended seven wickets down and 59 runs short of their target.
New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) chief executive Martin Snedden labelled the umpiring "sub-standard", saying Robinson in particular and Australia's Darrell Hair had "poor games".
Robinson, who works for the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU), yesterday admitted to the Sydney Morning Herald he had erred on at least the Gillespie decision.
But he said it was hugely difficult to get everything right when television showed up any small error.
"How can any human being be as good as a camera? Umpires can only do the best they can. That's all I can do.
"We're on a hiding to nothing, really. Nobody bothers mentioning the things we get right, but of course everyone highlights it when we get it wrong.
"We're all human and we all have human frailties. We're never going to be as good as modern technology."
Robinson had no comment on New Zealand's complaint other than to point out Hair had made mistakes in the match as well.
"The Waugh decision was very difficult. There was a helluva wind and I didn't hear or see anything. They said there was a noise on the commentary, but others said it was inconclusive.
"With Gillespie, well I probably should have got that right. It hit his glove, it's a soft sound."
The Zimbabwean said umpires must work hard to shut out of their minds any doubts over decisions as soon as they have made them.
This was the case when he gave Justin Langer caught behind in the first innings for 75 after missing the no-ball by Chris Cairns.
The no-ball was replayed immediately on the giant screen at the Waca Ground to loud booing, a practice Robinson said makes the umpires' job even harder.
Robinson said the test had not affected the way he viewed his job, saying: "I love being a part of the game and at the level I am. These things happen from time to time."
- NZPA
