Finger points at standard of umpiring in Ashes

[Acumen]

Did you read Gideon Haigh's article in The Times Tue25aug09 ?

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article6808524.ece

What are your views?

Should umpires wear a tie?

What if one umpire wants to wear a coat whilst the other is in shirt-sleeves?

Do we really need an ostentateous amount of sun block in UK?

[jerryspaniel]

There is no need (or room) for extravagant signalling. Its the players game not the umpires. Some of the decisions were incomprehensible and thats not being wise after the event. The Stuart Clark dismissal in the first innings was so wrong on first viewing that I was complaining about the appeal before it was given out!!!
I am also concerned about the number of dismissals from no-balls. Its one of the easier decisions an umpire has to make and if they cant see a few yards how can they be trusted to see 20/25 yards....
On other matters - I hate wearing a tie but its a personal thing. I would also not wear a coat when its warm enough but others disagree. It looks better to be dressed similarly but what do you do if you differ? If I had to wear a coat and tie in 28c I would probably pass out!!
Not sure excessive sun block is ostentatious... I know a skin cancer doctor who says that his most common op is cutting bits of ear off men. He hates basball caps as they dont cover the ears and always recommends wide brimmed hats. So thats what I wear plus the factor 50 when its sunny.

[missingleg]

Part of the problem for missing no-balls was that the umpires in the Test series were usually required by the bowler to stand very far back.

You also have even less time to judge front and back foot no-balls as an umpire because the ball travels at 90mph plus, requiring the umpire to pick up its flight immediately.

I don't see why the third umpire can't work as a team of 3 with the on-field umpires, using technology whenver they see fit. It is a much better system in my opinion that players openly challenging decisions.

As for ties, I wear them unless my partner insists we don't. I think its important to dress the same as your partner if only to give the image of being a team. I don't like coats but again I will wear one if my partner does.

I always wear a hat; it protects me from sun and rain!