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| Sunday, 23 February 2003 |
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Rod Marsh against third umpire concept by Ranjan Anandappa Former Australian wicket keeper Rodney Marsh said that he was totally against modern technology and the third umpire concept in Test matches as it kills the game and emphasised that the Test matches should be played as in the past with only two umpires. The Chappell brothers Ian and Greg, wicket keeper Rodney Marsh and fast bowler Dennis Lillee formed the nucleus of a great Australian outfit in the 1970's,and Marsh is in the Island as Director of the England and Welsh Cricket Board (ECB) National Cricket Academy on a tour to Sri Lanka to develop players skills and learn playing in different conditions. "I have been saying for a long time that there shouldn't be a third umpire in a Test match cricket. And every time I see a batsman stand there after being caught the game stops for five minutes while the third umpire looks at so many replays I think it's doing the game no good at all," said Marsh. But as far as one day cricket is concerned they can do what they like, if they want the technology giving lbw decisions and if people are doing hand stands in between overs. Go ahead they can do it. But I think they should not mess up with Test Match cricket. It would take a very good argument to make me change my mind on that,people have tried. There is no need for more than two umpires in Test cricket. There is no need in messing with the game it is a hell of a big game as it is." "The game is played over 100 years like that and there is no need to change it just because technology is available. What has happened is the players have taken advantage of the technology and the players and the game is worse off because of it. Said the former wicket keeper. "And then again there are lot more people out there perhaps who have not played the game but knows hell of a lot of the game more than me". Marsh said that he has taken over the job as the Director of the ECB National Academy for the past 18 months and with 18 more months to go he was very happy with the progress of the players. "In three or four years time England will start climbing the rankings and in Test and one dayers and in 6 or 7 years they will be on top of the World," said Marsh. There are two Test players in the ECB team Richard Dawson and Robert Key. Dawson was not attached to the Academy at any stage, but Robert Key was a product of the Academy. With England hoping to tour Sri Lanka next year it has been decided by the England selectors to have both Dawson and Key here to allow them to play under these conditions as no doubt the England selectors see the duo playing a part in the future of England cricket. So it's important that these players get the exposure playing cricket in this part of the World, said Marsh. "We believe that cricket is very good in this country and the conditions are tough compared say playing in England or maybe even Australia.It is very hot and humid these guys are getting used to playing in this part of the World." "There is also a England tour here next year and some of these chaps may be on tour and it could be a wonderful experience for them to come back here after being in the Academy. When asked about the World Cup which is in progress in South Africa and his predictions, Marsh said that he has not been having much of a following as he was more involved in junior cricket rather in senior cricket. "I have not seen the teams playing,I have seen Sri Lanka, England, Australia playing a little bit and it would be unfair ranking teams in the World Cup with out even seeing them," concluded Marsh who has played in 96 Test matches with 355 dismissals. Marsh was the fist Australian wicket keeper to score a Test hundred. That was against Pakistan in 1972\73. His best Test innings is 110 n.o against England in the centenary Test in Melbourne. He retired from Test cricket in 1983. |
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