Umpires in the third Test between India and England at Lord’s have come under fire, with former England captain Mike Atherton accusing them of “losing control” over various aspects of the game, including Shubman Gill’s on-field treatment and frequent ball changes.
The Shubman Gill Treatment Controversy
During England’s innings, Indian batsman Shubman Gill halted play to receive treatment. Initially, it seemed to be for leg cramps, but he later lay down to have his back massaged on the field.
This lengthy stoppage drew sharp criticism from Mike Atherton. Writing in The Times, Atherton argued that the umpires should have instructed Gill to leave the field for treatment, rather than allowing play to be delayed.
“At one stage, towards the end of England’s innings, Gill lay down for treatment on his back, and the umpires condoned a lengthy stoppage, instead of instructing him to leave the field, to allow play to resume,” Atherton stated.
A Wider Loss of Control?
Atherton’s criticism wasn’t limited to the Gill incident. He expressed concern that the umpires had lost authority over several issues impacting the flow of the game.
These included frequent stoppages for minor injuries, delays caused by attempted ball changes, and even fussiness over the state of the popping crease, which once saw ground staff called onto the field.
“From stoppages for minor injuries, to delays for attempted ball changes, to fussiness over the state of the popping crease… the umpires have lost control of this issue,” Atherton elaborated.
The Ball Change Debate Heats Up
A major point of contention during the match was the repeated changing of the ball. On one occasion, a replacement ball had to be changed almost immediately after being introduced.
Before the 95th over, Shubman Gill himself requested a new ball from umpire Sharfuddoula. This led to a heated discussion between the Indian captain and the umpire.
Fast bowler Mohammad Siraj was visibly annoyed, walking up to the umpire and questioning, “Are you serious?” a remark clearly picked up by the stump microphones.
Joe Root’s Take on Ball Changes
England’s Joe Root weighed in on the ball change issue after stumps, suggesting a more structured approach. He proposed that each team should be allowed only three challenges to change the ball every 80 overs.
“I personally think that if you want to keep getting the ball changed, then each team gets three challenges every 80 overs and that’s it,” Root explained. He believes this would provide a fair compromise without excessive delays.
Despite the issues, Root downplayed the severity, saying it’s not “the end of the world.” He acknowledged that cricket balls are handmade, meaning no two are exactly alike, and players must adapt to their varying characteristics.
- Mike Atherton criticised umpires for “losing control” in the Lord’s Test.
- Atherton felt Shubman Gill should have left the field for treatment, not delayed play.
- Frequent ball changes were a significant point of contention, leading to on-field arguments.
- Joe Root suggested a rule change: three ball change challenges per team every 80 overs.
The incident highlights ongoing discussions around game management and the balance between player welfare and maintaining the flow of play in Test cricket.
