India vs England 2021: Team England disappointed over third umpire calls, yearn for ‘consistency’
Team England Head Coach Chris Silverwood and skipper Joe Root approached the match referee Javagal Srinath, after some contentious calls, which the visitors feel favoured Team India during Day 1 of the pink-ball day-night Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The scepticism hovered on two incidences- first when India batsman Shubman Gill was caught off Stuart Broad in the slips by Ben Stokes, but the third umpire gave not out witnessing the ball had bounced a little from the grassy ground and then stuck to Stokes’s hands.
The second time dubiousness hovered when a quick stumping by Ben Foakes didn’t result in a wicket as Rohit Sharma had grounded his foot at the right time.
What happened after the opening day’s play?
As per ESPNCricinfo reports, Silverwood and Root visited the match referee as suspicions still lurked in the visitors’ minds.
“The England captain and head coach spoke with the match referee after play. The captain and head coach acknowledged the challenges the umpires faced and asked respectfully that in making any decisions there was consistency in the process. The match referee said the captain was asking the right questions of the umpires,” ESPNcricinfo quoted an England team spokesperson as saying.
The visitors feel that full use of camera angles should have been made before reaching the decision. Also, deep inside they feel both the decisions were rather made quickly.
Even England opener Zak Crawley, who scored a half-century on the openeing day of the Test complained of the similar issue if umpires favouring the hosts during the match.
“Yes, it was very frustrating as we were behind in the game and we needed that 50-50 to go our way. And it when in their way today. It is frustrating as we desperately want to win and it doesn’t help in our chances of winning. Hopefully, we play better tomorrow and don’t require that 50-50,” said Crawley during the virtual press conference.
On the opening day of the third Test, Team England were bundled early for 112 runs and the day concluded with Team India on 99 runs, with the loss of three wickets.
Sahil Sethi
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