Umpiring reaches new low in Sydney Test

Had there been a harsh punishment for poor umpiring in cricket, Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson would have received death penalty. They changed the course of Sydney test match by ruling Ponting and Symonds not out when TV replays showed that they were out. Symonds got three decisions in his favor and went on to score an unbeaten 162, which virtually took the match out of India's reach.

Even the third umpire joined Bucknor and Benson to rule Symonds not out. It seemed as if the umpired took money to fix the match in Australia's favor. On the Day 4, the umpires committed more blunders. Benson gave Hussey a reprieve on 45 when he nicked the ball to the fielder off R P Singh. Hussey is still batting on 87. On another occasion, Bucknor denied Kumble a hat-trick by ruling Symonds not out on the very first ball he faced.

When Michael Clarke nicked the ball to the slip fielder, even a kid had no doubt in his mind. But Clarke had other thoughts in his mind. He hoped to get the umpires' backing and did not leave the crease for a while. Even umpires did not budge. The Indians were in shock and they vociferously pressed for the decision. Finally, the umpires relented and Clarke was given out.

The state of umpiring in Sydney test is so pathetic that critics and fans have demanded for strict action against Bucknor and Benson. Some even demanded that Bucknor must retire from umpiring, as he has become too old to see the ball and take the right decision. If the Sydney test ends in a draw, then guess who should win the "Man of the Match" award? Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson should share it.