Umpires fluff Ponting wicket
Chloe Saltau
July 19, 2009
THE reason for Ricky Ponting's anger over his confusing dismissal at Lord's has been revealed.
Ponting was given out caught at second slip off the bowling of Jimmy Anderson after a long-winded process that saw umpire Rudi Koertzen refer the matter to TV umpire Nigel Llong to check whether the ball had carried.
By the time Ponting had reached the dressing room it was clear the ball had come off his pad, but the assumption was that Llong did not have the authority to overturn the decision.
Australia's captain and best batsman knew differently and the International Cricket Council has since explained that Llong should in fact have informed Koertzen that the television replays had revealed Ponting did not hit the ball.
Rule 3.2.3 governing clean catches reads, in part: "The third umpire has to determine whether the batsman has been caught. But when reviewing the television replay(s), if it is clear to the third umpire that the batsman did not hit the ball, he shall indicate that the batsman is not out."
From October, players will be able to challenge decisions they feel are incorrect, but the lack of a referral system for the Ashes should not have kept Llong from telling Koerzten Ponting did not hit the ball. Also, Anderson was appealing for lbw while behind the wicket they appealed for a catch.
:crazy: 
