Indian umpires not up to the mark - Richardson

Dave Richardson, the ICC general manager of cricket operations, has said that Indian umpires are not up to world standards and it is a challenge for the Indian Board (BCCI) to improve on their performance.

No Indian was included in the ICC Elite Umpires panel announced in April and Richardson said it wasn't due to a flaw in the appointment process. "We do it [appointment] as professionally as we can," said Richardson. "Who ever does well is going to move forward. And if you are not up to the mark and there are other international umpires who are better, then you will be left out. It is a challenge for the BCCI to see that Indian umpires make it to the Elite Panel."

Richardson said that the proposal to allow players to appeal against the on-field umpires' decisions had received mixed response. "I should say the reaction has been pretty mixed. It is split 50-50 among the players, umpires, officials and even the media. Mark Benson, an ICC umpire from England, felt that he would be better off getting decisions verified by the third umpire and be not crucified later. There are others who feel they are better qualified to make the decisions on their own."

If the proposal is passed at the ICC Chief Executives' meeting in July, the system of appeals could be trialled at the Champions Trophy in October.