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 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0PeQiT1HnU]

A match that will be remembered more for umpiring blunders than for the performance of the players. At least seven decisions went against India which sealed the fate of the match, Australia were clearly playing with 13 players.

Although Ricky pontings Australia were able to match the record of Steve Waugh’s run of 16 consecutive wins but during this match at SCG the spirit of cricket was lost. With  only six minutes to spare MJ Clarke picked 3 wickets of 5 balls and finished the game but before his brilliant spell it was some pathetic and shady umpiring which helped Australia to come near a victory they all so desperately wanted. In all fairness even if half of these decisions had gone India’s way Australia would have lost this match. The first decision which went in favor of Symonds when he was at 30 only a blind and deaf man could have judged it wrong, he went on to score 162, I am surprised even the third Umpire gave him not out with all the technology and time at his disposal this cannot be an error of judgement and if it is then my question to ICC is why they are putting people with such impaired judgement on the field to officiate such a high profile series.

In the first innings a total of 4 decisions went Australia’s way, In India’s second innings when everybody thought that the match was heading for a draw first Wasim Jaffer was given out on a No ball then Rahul dravid who was batting quite comfortably was given caught behind when the bat was no way near the ball and was completely hidden behind the pads, then came the decision which disgusted me the most Saurav Ganguly edged one to third slip which was taken by Rick Ponting on the bounce the Australians made a vociferous appeal but umpire Benson was not sure it was only after Ricky Ponting signalled him by raising his finger and suggested him to give the decision against the batsman only then Mark Benson lifted his finger he didnt even bothered to consult Steve Bucknor which is a normal practice in such circumstances and chose to obey the command of the fourth umpire Ricky Ponting.

After this match Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor have joined the ranks of Darrell Hair for controversial and biased umpiring. Australians have no reson to celebrate this victory in fact they should bow their heads in shame as they have killed the spirit of the game.