It Is Not Ideal, But It Is What It Is: Tim Paine On 'Umpire's Call'

Australian captain, Tim Paine airs his opinion on the ‘Umpire’s Call’ in the Decision Review System (DRS). Several former cricketers and experts, including legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar, has raised concerns over the umpire’s call after the DRS gained attention in the second Test match between India and Australia in Melbourne, demanding the ICC to look at the system.

India and Australia both made numerous reviews in which the ball showed to be clipping the stumps and hence, the decision had to stay with the original call of the on-field umpire. Therefore, there have been situations – in the Boxing Day Test and instances in the past years since the umpire’s call came into the picture – where for the exact same circumstances one batsman was deemed out while the other remained not out courtesy of the umpire’s call.

It is not ideal, but it is what it is: Tim Paine

Tim Paine, speaking ahead of the third Test in Sydney, says that he and his team aren’t focussing on what people are opining about the controversial technology. He points out that the DRS was introduced to eliminate the howlers from the umpires. however, with two and in the covid era teams having three reviews they are going to use it as their prerogative and take a chance to overturn the decision from the umpire.

Tim Paine, 36, understands that the DRS technology, umpire’s call, in particular, is not ideal, but everyone has to make peace with the best of what’s available. The DRS rule, which came in 2008, has some deficiencies. For that, the ICC implemented a modified umpire’s call in 2016 – the ball had to be hitting at least 50 per cent of a stump in the projection – in which the teams don’t lose the review.

As quoted by ANI, Tim Paine said, “It does not bother me to be honest, there is so much talk about it whether we like it or we don’t. It’s irrelevant, it’s there and while it’s there, teams are going to use it like they are which is probably not the way it was brought in to be used, it was brought in to challenge like a really bad howler.

But the current setup, when you have three reviews and you have umpire’s call, you would be mad not to challenge it because you never know. It is not ideal, but it is what it is, and we are okay with it,” added the Aussie skipper.

Also Read: Australia vs India: Spectator Who Attended Boxing Day Test Tests Positive For COVID-19