Australian players celebrate the 'dismissal' of Kumar Sangakkara from a ball bounced by Stuart Clarke that struck the helmet and went into the hands of Ricky Ponting. Umpire Rudi Koertzen perhaps made one of the gravest blunders in test match history. But for his stupidity, this test match could have been one of the greatest of all times.(Photo Courtesy: Sydney Herald).Batsmen must have the right to appeal to the third umpire
Victor Karunairajan reporting from Australia
(November, 23, Sydeny, Australia) Now that the third umpire is an established feature, cricket authorities must examine the possibility of bringing in a rule for batsmen to appeal against decisions by umpires that they may feel wrong.
The dismissal of Kumar Sangakkara on Tuesday in the Australian-Sri Lanka Hobart Second Test is a good example for such a provision.
Here was a batsman batting faultlessly and in geat style to the delight of the spectators and progressively giving hopes for Sri Lanka to amass a winning total of what could have ended up as one of the greatest of test matches cricket has known.
There was class in his batting and rhythm and melody from the crack of the bat and feel of the ball and his innings was sheer joy. He was cool, calm and collected and showed how cricket should be played. Rudi Koertzen spoilt it all and will have to live with this terrible blunder for the rest of his life.
Australian cricketers also need to understand cricket as a sport that builds warm international relationships and matches are not arenas to fight bitterly for wins only and let loose words and swears that do not help develop the spirit of sportsmanship.
If this is not possible of what use is cricket for decades known as the game of gentlemen?
The Australians may be great cricketers but are they really warm and friendly folks?
I wonder, I wonder!
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