England’s Stuart Broad faced criticism on Friday after playing on when he should have been given out at a pivotal moment of the third Test with Australia — but most of the anger was directed at umpire Aleem Dar.
Broad was on 37 when he nicked a delivery from Ashton Agar to Australia captain Michael Clarke at slip, but he stood his ground and was given not out by Dar.
Clarke had already used Australia’s two referrals, and Broad’s decision to continue sparked a debate over the batsman’s ethics, Clarke’s decision-making and Dar’s future as a test umpire.
Australia’s Petter Siddle claimed it was “no big deal” and asked “how many people have ever walkedIJ” However, pundits were less forgiving, both toward Broad and Dar.
Former Australia spinner Shane Warne blasted Dar on Twitter, fuming that “He’s always had no idea.” He added: “We all make mistakes and it’s a very tough job being an umpire, but when Dar continually makes crucial mistakes why does he keep getting a gigIJ”
Another former Australian player, Rodney Hogg, also argued Dar should be taken off the test circuit. “If you can’t drive they take your licence off you,” he tweeted. “But if you can’t umpire you just keep doing Test matches.”
England batsman Kevin Pietersen suggested Clarke should have hesitated, before defending Dar’s honor. “You’ve got to use it (the DRS) well, you only get two goes at it,” Pietersen said. “Aleem Dar is a fantastic umpire and he’s been rated one of the best umpires in world cricket over the last few years. AP