Referral system losing its appeal: Haddin

PERTH - Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has said that he is not a great fan of the umpires referral system.

He claimed that it has caused considerable confusion and frustration, especially during the second Test in Adelaide last week.

The system allows each team to challenge umpires’ decisions, with a limit of two unsuccessful challenges per innings.

In Adelaide, the system was blamed for the departure of umpire Mark Benson following video umpire Asad Rauf’s decision to overturn one of his rulings.

In one instance, Haddin did not appear to appeal for a caught-behind against Shivnarine Chanderpaul, but the Australians challenged Benson’s call, and were upset when Rauf ruled in favour of the batsman.

Haddin said yesterday he thought the decision was so straightforward he didn’t bother appealing.

“I just thought it was an obvious nick … I was making my way in to celebrate,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Even ICC match referee Chris Broad believes the system needs to be refined.

“I think there is still some discussion that needs to be had because it’s been said before that questioning the umpire’s decision is always going to be difficult, no matter who does it,” he told ABC Radio. (ANI)