The stats of an umpire should be displayed on the scoreboard screen when they are declared at the beginning of the game, much as those of players who enter the crease, according to Australian opener David Warner.
Warner was incensed when on-field umpire Joel Wilson ruled that he was LBW during Australia’s most recent World Cup match against Sri Lanka. The umpire’s decision on striking the wickets allowed the on-field call to stand notwithstanding the DRS referral.
After the fact that Australia won by five wickets after being dismissed, David Warner persisted in criticizing the umpires for their lack of responsibility.
The Sydney Morning Herald cited the star opener as saying:
“Players’ stats go up on the board as you walk out to bat. When they announce the umpires, I’d love to see their stats come up on the board as well. The NRL does it. I think the NFL does it. It’s a great thing for the spectators to see as well. You definitely know which umpires are going to give those 50-50 ones when it hits the pad, and that’s where from my perspective it gets frustrating.”
“There’s no bias in anything. It’s just that you feel that as a player sometimes. There has to be some accountability. If you get a decision wrong, just accept it and apologise. Players aren’t going to bite your head off. Umpires aren’t going to bite your head off if you ask them the question. They’re generally pretty honest.”
David Warner
The second game between Australia and South Africa was when the umpiring received attention. Steve Smith, a star batter, and Marcus Stoinis, an all-around player, were controversially thrown out for LBW and caught behind.
With the victory against Sri Lanka, Australia turned around their 2023 World Cup campaign after losing their initial two games against South Africa and India.
“When you see on the replay how it unfolded, you get a little bit annoyed” – David Warner
David Warner went on to elaborate on his dismissal against Sri Lanka, claiming that on-field umpire Joel Wilson had given him the short end of the stick.
Dilshan Madushanka’s delivery snuck back and caught the southpaw’s rear leg. Joel Wilson quickly raised the feared fingers as the ball appeared to be high and heading down the leg side, leaving Warner speechless.
“Normally when something hits me on the leg on the outside, I know it’s pretty much going down leg,” Warner said. “I asked Joel when I was out there … ‘why did he give it out?’ He said the ball was swinging back. From my perspective on the replay, it wasn’t. When you see on the replay how it unfolded, you get a little bit annoyed.”
David Warner
David Warner has not performed well in the World Cup, only managing to score 65 runs in three innings with a below-average strike rate of just over 75.
Despite their convincing win against Sri Lanka, Australia currently sits in the lowly ninth position on the points table. Their upcoming match against Pakistan on Friday, October 20 in Bengaluru will be a crucial one.
