Trott not guilty of obstructing the field, says S. African umpire

BRISBANE - Umpires taking part in the ongoing one-day series between Australia and England have found nothing wrong with middle-order batsman Jonathan Trott’s determination to protect his wicket at all costs.

The Daily Express quoted South African umpire Marais Erasmus, as saying that Trott has been on the right side of the law in the one-day series.

He was speaking ahead of the fifth one-day international that is to be played at The Gabba here tomorrow.

It maybe recalled that in last Sunday’s match in Sydney, Trott ran out two of his colleagues and was lucky to survive a third, when he changed direction and blocked a Michael Clarke throw at the stumps with his outstretched bat.

Batsmen getting their body or bat between the thrower and the stumps are an age-old tactic.

Umpire Erasmus said Trott’s actions were acceptable and did not make him a candidate for being out under the law ‘obstructing the field’.

“The key is where the batsman is looking when he is running. If he is watching the thrower then there may be an issue, but if he is just looking where he is running that is fine. That was the case with Trott,” Erasmus said. (ANI)