Playing devil’s advocate

[ravishingravi]

Match referee and umpires know they have goofed up. Either the decision should have been taken on 2 Nd day or we should just continue. I am sure having Ian Chappell would really have instilled some common sense perspective. 

 

But it here is the situation. The background is of regulations on dangerous pitches and a cricketer who died two years back in Australia on cricket field. Home team has literally nothing to gain from this situation. Touring team that has slugged it out fighting for their pride and are out of firing line now. 

 

Second over, New Ball rises up from good length hits the batsman on the gloves and is making most of it. Match referee who is thinking about worst case scenario and doesn’t want to carry the burden of injury or fatal incident. Sure, there will be a backlash for the goof up done. But seems to me that in this situation if my neck was on the line, I would rather err on the conservative side and restrict the damage. 

 

I dont think this pitch is any more dangerous than Perth pitches with huge cracks running down the middle. But we have to factor that referee is constantly evaluating the risks these days given the new playing conditions. 

 

I am am not sure how they will complete the match. SA will make a meal of it. The only dignified response would be for them to forfeit the match and not deny the victory to India.