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'It's not right': Aussie legends' major gripe with umpires

Two Australian cricket legends have taken aim at umpires over an issue that came to the fore on Day 4 in Adelaide.

Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist have both questioned why on-field umpires are no longer looking for front-foot no-balls.

Aaron Finch was given a huge lifeline on just the second ball of Australia’s second innings on Sunday when an lbw decision was overturned because Ishant Sharma had bowled a no-ball.

However it wasn’t called by on-field umpireKumar Dharmasena, and was only discovered after Finch reviewed the lbw with DRS.

Kumar Dharmasena gave the lbw out, but Sharma bowled a no-ball. Image: Channel 7
Kumar Dharmasena gave the lbw out, but Sharma bowled a no-ball. Image: Channel 7

Sharma was shown to have overstepped a number of times during his first spell, but none were called.

It continued a growing trend in international cricket that has seen on-field umpires disregard front-foot no-balls unless a wicket falls.

Only then will they ask the third umpire to check the front foot if they think it was close to a no-ball.

“I don’t think the umpires are looking and I certainly don’t think they were looking at those ones (of Sharma) because they were blatantly obvious ones,” Ponting told cricket.com.au after play.

“And as we know now, they’ll only ever look at them if a wicket falls, which as far as I’m concerned is not right.

Ricky Ponting (R) has questioned umpires. Image: Getty
Ricky Ponting (R) has questioned umpires. Image: Getty

“Part of umpiring is to get the no-ball decisions right as well. I’m not asking for everything to be spot on, but if you’re six inches over then surely you can call it.”

Ponting said the fielding captain has the right to know when his bowler is overstepping so he can warn them and make sure it doesn’t cost them a wicket.

And Adam Gilchrist agrees.

“A no ball affects the bowler’s mindset, they have to make an adjustment if they’re being called,” he said on Fox Cricket.

“It’s a significant part of the game — a bowler has to keep their foot behind the line, it’s a rule, it’s stipulated, the same as a run out or a stumping.

“But if a bowler — OK, he’s been pinged and it’s cost him a wicket — but if he’s getting away with it regularly and not being pinged the extra run and not bowling another delivery in the over, which all adds up in warmer conditions, it’s part of the game and its not something that should be overlooked just because there’s technology in other aspects of the game.”

And fellow commentator Mike Hussey pointed out that the batting team is being robbed of what could be vital runs if no-balls aren’t called.

“In a tight Test match, it could be the difference between winning and losing,” he said.

“We see it in Twenty20 all the time, one ball or one run in a shorter format game is crucial but in a tight Test match, it can be the same thing.”

Aussies must make history to win first Test

Shaun Marsh shapes as his side’s best hope of winning the first Test against India which history – and conventional wisdom – suggests is near-impossible.

Australia, set an imposing target of 323 at Adelaide Oval, reached 4-104 at stumps on Day 4.

Marsh is unbeaten on 31 from 92 balls, having occupied the crease for more time than any other batsman in Australia’s second innings, while Travis Head is 11 not out.

Marsh has history when it comes to resisting India, having batted out 62 overs on day five to help secure a draw last year in Ranchi.

The 35-year-old is also likely to draw confidence from negotiating Sunday’s final session, plus last month’s Sheffield Shield knock of 163 not out in Adelaide, where he helped Western Australia to overhaul a target of 313.

But the mountain confronting the much-maligned veteran on Monday is significantly more confronting for several reasons, with Australia still 219 runs away from a record-breaking victory after yet another concerning collapse of 4-56.

The highest-successful run chase in an Adelaide Test is Australia’s 6-315, achieved in 1902 against England, while no side has hunted down more than 236 at the venue since West Indies in 1982.

HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASES IN ADELAIDE OVAL TESTS:

6-315 by Australia to beat England, 1902

5-239 by West Indies to beat Australia, 1982

4-233 by West Indies to defeat Australia, 1951

6-233 by India to defeat Australia, 2003

HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASES IN TEST CRICKET:

7-418 by West Indies to beat Australia at St John’s, 2003

4-414 by South Africa against Australia at WACA Ground, 2008

4-406 by India to beat West Indies at Port of Spain, 1976

3-404 by Australia to beat England at Headingly, 1948

HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN CHASES IN AUSTRALIA:

6-369 by Australia to beat Pakistan at Bellerive Oval, 1999

8-342 by Australia to beat India at WACA Ground, 1977

7-332 by England to beat Australia at MCG, 1928

6-315 by Australia to beat England at Adelaide Oval, 1902

with AAP