Ashes 2019: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting reveals how he would solve umpiring blunders
Officiating decisions clouded the first day of play at Edgbaston with several calls overturned by the review system
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Your support makes all the difference.Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has called on the ICC to ditch their policy of neutral umpires after numerous mistakes on the opening day of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
Both England and Australia suffered incorrect decisions throughout day one.
Umpires Aleem Dar and Joel Wilson came under fire, with many of their decisions over-turned by the decision review system.
The ICC’s elite umpires panel is dominated by English and Australians, but they have been prevented from officiating due to the ruling and pursuit of impartiality.
“I would like to think the game has come far enough now for the game to not have neutral umpires,” Ponting told Cricket Australia.
“People might say that with all the technology we’ve got now, it doesn’t matter that much.
“But it’s not a good spectacle when pretty obviously wrong decisions are made.
“There’s been a lot a negativity about the DRS over the years, but we’re pretty lucky that we had it last night.”
Ponting, part of the Cricket Committee at the MCC, the custodians of the Laws of Cricket, said he would raise the matter at the next MCC meeting.
“It’s already been spoken about a lot among the players,” he said.
“If it’s not brought up, I’ll make sure it’s added to the agenda.
“Surely (English umpire) Richard Kettleborough and the like would want to be umpiring the best series.
“The best umpires can end up missing out on all the big tournaments.
“It could force umpires into retirement a bit early.”
Australia were bowled out for 284, with England 10 for no loss at stumps.
Umpiring standards were put in the spotlight after the World Cup final between England and New Zealand at Lord’s last month, with Ben Stokes erroneously awarded an extra run by the standing umpires in the 50th over of the home side’s chase.
England went on to win the match by total boundaries scored after a tied Super Over.
Reuters also contributed to this report
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