The Hindu : Sport : Late strikes halt England’s progress

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Monday, Dec 10, 2007
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Late strikes halt England’s progress

Ted Corbett

Pietersen’s dismissal sparks off yet another debate; Vaughan plays a serene knock

COLOMBO: Another day, another Test and another controversy about a catch that is surrounded by doubt. At the SSC on the first day of the second Test England’s Kevin Pietersen edged his fifth ball, an angled delivery from Chaminda Vaas into the slips where Chamara Silva at third slip, dived to his left and grabbed the catch low to the turf, it bobbled up and Kumar Sangakkara came from first slip to take the rebound and... well, no-one is sure what happened next.

Daryl Harper raised his finger, but TV replays showed the ball appeared to have brushed the ground before the initial take by Silva.

Did the ball touch the ground, or the grass, as Silva sprawled full length? Was umpire Harper justified in giving Pietersen out? Was Pietersen right to halt half way to the pavilion to watch a replay and then wander back towards the middle, forcing Harper to raise his finger a second time?

In my opinion, 90 yards away and three storeys high in the press box watching a TV as well but not convinced by the pictures I saw the answer to all those questions is that the umpire got it right and that Pietersen, who was recalled after a similar incident at Lord’s last summer, should not have hesitated. On the other hand at least one accepted pundit is sure the catch was grassed.

Back the umpires

Until we get television that can bring an accurate picture we will have to rely on the judgement of men like Harper who consulted Aleem Dar who must have the sharpest eyes on the circuit at square leg. Fair enough; trusting the umpires has worked for more than 100 years. Roll on the day when TV improves so that there is no doubt.

You don’t need a television to be assured that Michael Vaughan, at the top of his game, played the most serene innings of 87 and would have been there still if Jehan Mubarak had not trapped the ball between his legs a couple of yards from the bat.

Sri Lanka needed a fluke to halt Vaughan at his majestic best, judging each ball on its merits, playing all the shots that made him an Ashes hero even when England lost and even going to his fifty with his trademark whirling pull shot. He went to 87 with a blazing drive and, without having given a hint of trouble previously, half-heartedly nudged his next ball to Mubarak. Muttiah Muralitharan was the bowler, of course. I warned you he and Sangakkara were not finished.

He then tied Ian Bell up for an hour and a half before having him caught overhead by the tall Mubarak, half the country wants him dropped but he was indispensable on Sunday and six minutes later came the moment that mired the day.

Being extra cautious

I will always feel England took the freak dismissal of Vaughan too much to heart and a few decisive strokes from Bell would have kept Sri Lanka quiet.

Double blow

Too few Cooks spoiled England’s luck in winning the toss. Alastair Cook, England’s answer to all the great stonewall openers, remained steadfast for 82.3 overs and 81 runs but when he and Ravi Bopara were out to successive balls it looked as if the England day had been wasted.

Matthew Prior survived the hat-trick at 237 for five but Murali had already made the ball climb shoulder high from outside the off stump and when he had to return because the darkness threatened to end play even though the new ball was only four overs old it was hardly a relief to England.

England’s fielders were accused of being flat at Kandy and once again there was a feeling that this short tour is more than their spirit can accept. Even the singing of the Barmy Army failed to lift England although as usual the lion heart of Paul Collingwood still beats strong.

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