Poor umpiring was in focus once again during the ICC Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand at Lord’s with three umpiring errors in the first innings.
First, New Zealand opener Henry Nicholls was given out leg before wicket by Kumar Dharmasena off Chris Woakes in the third over. The batsman reviewed successfully as replays showed that the ball was going over the stumps.
In the 23rd over, once again Dharmasena failed to spot a nick off Kane Williamson. The English bowler, Liam Plunkett, pressed for a review and the hosts got the decision in their favour.
Experienced Marais Erasmus also made a wrong decision when he gave Ross Taylor lbw off Mark Wood in the 34th over. Replays showed the ball was going over the stumps, but New Zealand did not have a review left as Martin Guptill used one for an lbw call earlier.
Fans were unhappy to see so many discrepancies in the World Cup final and bashed the umpires:
Umpiring in the finals thus far…. 😑 #CWC19 #EngvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 14, 2019
What an exciting World Cup Final between Dharmasena and Erasmus. #CWC19Final
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) July 14, 2019
You can blame Guptill for burning the review and fair enough, but that always looked a pretty poor lbw decision and the only person responsible for that was Erasmus. #CWC19final
— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) July 14, 2019
Poor umpiring and that too in World Cup Final.
Every one was suffering from Dharmasena and here comes Marais Erasmus
Tough Luck NZ and Ross Taylor.
Its Extremely Disapointing.
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) July 14, 2019
Bloody hell Erasmus has eyes hawks dream of #CWC2019
— Toby Earle (@TobyonTV) July 14, 2019
I think every wicket should be automatically reviewed by 3rd umpire. Plus 2 unsuccessful reviews for bowling team. Done. ICC, please send me the cheque.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) July 14, 2019
I somehow think umpires should be trained specifically to officiate in a ground where the slope is as pronounced as in Lord's.#CWC19 #WorldCupFinal #CricketWorldCupFinal #CWC19Final
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@SachinAzharCT) (@ovshake42) July 14, 2019
Well @ICC , another poor umpiring decision affecting the course of an important match! Blunder by umpire Erasmus this time. This isn't cricket, it's a joke
— The Bad Doctor (@DOCTORATLARGE) July 14, 2019
When Dharmasena is umpiring.#ENGvsNZ #CWC19Final pic.twitter.com/4hUzwulDqB
— Lord Duffer-In (@British_Viceroy) July 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1150367035886432258
Erasmus going full Dharmasena. Absolute scenes.
— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) July 14, 2019
He’s responsible for about a 60 run swing already Erasmus – should hang his head in shame! #WorldCupFinal2019
— Brenton Speed (@BrentonSpeed) July 14, 2019
Just Kumar Dharmasena things #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/3qh6PArrFG
— Pranav. (@pranavkudav) July 14, 2019
When Dharamsena is umpiring, Batsman is like :#ENGvsNZ #cwc19 pic.twitter.com/ksLYDhA8iv
— Right Arm Over (@RightArmOver_) July 14, 2019
Wrong decision but getting the right decision isn't a priority
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 14, 2019
Some of the famous people from different countries who fought against the British:
India – Mahatma Gandhi.
South Africa – Nelson Mandela.
Sri Lanka – Kumar Dharmasena. #ENGvNZ #CWC19Final
— Shridhar V (@iimcomic) July 14, 2019
To see how bad the umpiring standards have become in last few years, our best umpire for a WC final has actually come down from Sir David Shephard without DRS to Kumar Dharamsena with DRS #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/8sCg7KaOZs
— Bharat Army (@BhartArmy) July 14, 2019
Jis tarah ke decision Dharamsena le raha, isne jarur apne ladke ko engineering dilwai hogi
— InGenious (@Bees_Kut) July 14, 2019
Son: Papa Engineering karu ki MBA?
Dharmasena: Engineering.
Son: Thanks papa decision lene mai problem ho rahi thi, MBA karunga. #CWC19
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) July 14, 2019