Masterclass: Technology Is Not The Answer – Steve Herzberg
Elite Cricket is very pleased to present this exclusive Masterclass article by my former teammate Steve Herzberg. Steve is a qualified level 3 coach. He played cricket for WA and Tasmania in the 1990’s. He now runs a successful corporate training company. Steve can be reached at www.nrgsolutions.com.au or emailed at steve@nrgsolutions.com.au
Enjoy.
Cheers
Mark
As a kid playing cricket I was given a lot of advice from a lot of people. If I can recall even 10% of it now I’d be amazed. However, one piece of advice I will never forget is, “you must always respect the umpire’s decision.”
You might not always agree with it but you must respect it.
The referral process in place at the moment actually is showing young cricketers that the umpire’s decision is not always right. Just take a moment to think about the impact this could have on future generations of cricketers.
I have a few major issues with it. This article outlines them and then suggests a better alternative.
Why the referral process is wrong
Umpires confidence
Umpires are only human and like anyone will not respond well to being informed in front of a huge audience that they are making incorrect decisions. Yes, they may well say that it doesn’t bother them, but I struggle to see how having your decisions overturned could be good for your ego and mental state. More than anything I would have thought that it would bring in to question your own decision making skills and increase the likelihood of poor decisions being made after each over ruled referral. There is enough time after a game for umpires to review their performances and learn from the decisions they made.
Attitude of players
If we now show young cricketers that you can question the umpire’s decision are we not encouraging them to go ahead and do so? This changes one of key principles of the of the gentleman’s game of cricket. Players will become precocious little sh__s, constantly disagreeing with the umpire’s decision. This goes against the grain of the game of cricket. I struggle to see how this can be an improvement. Umpires must be respected for the game to be run smoothly.
Inconclusive proof
When I used to practice sometimes I would bowl at the stumps without a batsman there. There were many times when I was certain a ball was about to hit the stumps, when at the last minute it would deviate and miss. Watch how often a ball swerves and dips just before a keeper takes it.
No matter how many times you view a replay for an lbw or a questionable catch behind or bat pad there will always be an element of the doubt. The laws clearly state that the batsman gets the element of doubt and that’s where it should rest. Spending minutes watching replays is of little benefit to anyone.
Time
Cricket is a slow enough game as it is. Just ask Richie Benaud about over rates. Anything that slows the game down must be questioned. The referral system can never be rapid due to its nature and what is ultimately at stake.
What is the alternative?
Firstly, is there really a problem? I can’t see the need for it at all. Umpires will always make questionable decisions. That is part of the game. Cricket is not a game of perfect. Never has been, never will be. If you want perfect outcomes in a sport try something like darts, bridge or chess (Are these really sports? How would you warm up?)
Invest more resources in to improving the skills of umpires and in particular how they deal with high pressure situations. Accept they will make errors. Players make a lot of errors. It’s part of the game and why it’s so fascinating. There is no one formula for success.
Just because the technology is there doesn’t mean we need to use it. I’m not suggesting we go back and live in caves, just highlighting in some instances it doesn’t improve anything, it actually makes things worse.
Steve Herzberg
Elite Cricket is very pleased to present this exclusive Masterclass article by my former teammate Steve Herzberg. Steve is a qualified level 3 coach. He played cricket for WA and Tasmania in the 1990’s. He now runs a successful corporate training company. Steve can be reached at www.nrgsolutions.com.au or emailed at steve@nrgsolutions.com.au
Enjoy.
Cheers
Mark
As a kid playing cricket I was given a lot of advice from a lot of people. If I can recall even 10% of it now I’d be amazed. However, one piece of advice I will never forget is, “you must always respect the umpire’s decision.”
You might not always agree with it but you must respect it.
The referral process in place at the moment actually is showing young cricketers that the umpire’s decision is not always right. Just take a moment to think about the impact this could have on future generations of cricketers.
I have a few major issues with it. This article outlines them and then suggests a better alternative.
Why the referral process is wrong
Umpires confidence
Umpires are only human and like anyone will not respond well to being informed in front of a huge audience that they are making incorrect decisions. Yes, they may well say that it doesn’t bother them, but I struggle to see how having your decisions overturned could be good for your ego and mental state. More than anything I would have thought that it would bring in to question your own decision making skills and increase the likelihood of poor decisions being made after each over ruled referral. There is enough time after a game for umpires to review their performances and learn from the decisions they made.
Attitude of players
If we now show young cricketers that you can question the umpire’s decision are we not encouraging them to go ahead and do so? This changes one of key principles of the of the gentleman’s game of cricket. Players will become precocious little sh__s, constantly disagreeing with the umpire’s decision. This goes against the grain of the game of cricket. I struggle to see how this can be an improvement. Umpires must be respected for the game to be run smoothly.
Inconclusive proof
When I used to practice sometimes I would bowl at the stumps without a batsman there. There were many times when I was certain a ball was about to hit the stumps, when at the last minute it would deviate and miss. Watch how often a ball swerves and dips just before a keeper takes it.
No matter how many times you view a replay for an lbw or a questionable catch behind or bat pad there will always be an element of the doubt. The laws clearly state that the batsman gets the element of doubt and that’s where it should rest. Spending minutes watching replays is of little benefit to anyone.
Time
Cricket is a slow enough game as it is. Just ask Richie Benaud about over rates. Anything that slows the game down must be questioned. The referral system can never be rapid due to its nature and what is ultimately at stake.
What is the alternative?
Firstly, is there really a problem? I can’t see the need for it at all. Umpires will always make questionable decisions. That is part of the game. Cricket is not a game of perfect. Never has been, never will be. If you want perfect outcomes in a sport try something like darts, bridge or chess (Are these really sports? How would you warm up?)
Invest more resources in to improving the skills of umpires and in particular how they deal with high pressure situations. Accept they will make errors. Players make a lot of errors. It’s part of the game and why it’s so fascinating. There is no one formula for success.
Just because the technology is there doesn’t mean we need to use it. I’m not suggesting we go back and live in caves, just highlighting in some instances it doesn’t improve anything, it actually makes things worse.
Steve Herzberg
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