Nothing New With The Aussies!

Switch on any news channel,the one and only thing that is being highlighted is the bad umpiring decisions at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the Second test between India and Australia.The match saw as many as eight wrong decisions in a span of 10 days.Ofcourse its frustrating.But what was new with that!eh.The only difference being the number has gone upto eight this time.And nothing else.The same Australians being favored and that too against Indians-who have been giving Australians a run for their money.

It has been the way things have been going on with the Australians from decades altogether.Since 1992 I've been watching international cricket.The way Australians reached the finals of WC1996 @ Lahore.The way Gibson was given out in the semis when the ball delivered by Shane Warne missed everything except the wicketkeeper's gloves.Next one which still remains in my memories is the thick edge by Mohd Azharuddin at Bangalore that was given leg before by umpires SK Bansal & SK Porel for the ball of Gillespie.The third occasion which I remember is the dismissal of Hansie Cronje(the ball was caught off the pads by MEWaugh off Shane Warne ) in the second Semis of the 1999WC which was given out by Umpire DR Shepherd and S Venkataraghavan (Ind).Australia went on to win the World cup.

The edition goes a long way when it comes to tests involving India and Australia.The first test in 2003-04 series at Brisbane where SR Tendulkar was out leg before off Gillespie raised much doubts about the dismissal-which was shown to be not out by video replays.

Then comes the India Australia series in 2004 which Australia won after a gap of nearly 34 years.The first test itself witnessed as many as four wrong decisions going in the favor of the Aussies.The first one was the leg before decision off Michael Clarke when he was on 92that was ruled out by umpire STEVE BUCKNOR.Later in the same match-Gilchrist comes down the track and drives it hard but straight to the mid off fielder,but only to be given life by the same Buckner.Also the recent Aus-SL second test which saw Kumara Sangakkara given out on 192-by Rudi Koertzen.

Things din't stop in the first innings.It looked like the umpires still had doubt about Australia getting their 34 year dream relished.This was seen by the decision given in favor of Glenn McGrath by awarding him the wicket of Sehwag in the same test which was a thick inside edge that could be heard by 10K odd spectators but not Billy Bowden.Then once again Buckner raising his finger to rule Laxman out for a flipper off Shane Warne.Four wrong decisions favoring the Australians at M Chinnaswamy Stadium saw Australia win the match by 217 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Well Guys!After the Sydney test 2008 it seems that it will not be much longer when Ricky Ponting is clean bowled by a good ball yorker and the umpire nods his head in favor of the batsman.And Sachin being given out when the ball clears the ropes.So lets wait and watch for more miracles by umpires on the field.Bye!


LABELS:2nd semis 1996 WC IND-AUS Titan Cup Aus-SA 1999 WC Semis Brisbane Test 2003
Bangalore Test 2004 Sydney Test 2008

Videos:Kumar Sangakkara - shocking umpire decision on 192 WC final 2007 Sydney Test Dismissals