Umpiring Meltdown at Lord’s! Why Atherton Raged as Shubman Gill Halts Play & Ball Swap Fury Erupts

Umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula, overseeing the third Test between India and England at Lord’s, have faced criticism for how they have handled the matches up to this point. Ex-England captain Mike Atherton stated that the “umpires have lost control” and raised concerns about the frequent ball changes, as well as the umpires’ choice to allow Shubman Gill to receive treatment for his back on the field.

During the 110th over of the England innings, Gill paused the game apparently to receive treatment for his legs. Were they cramps? However, before long, he actually lay on the ground and had his back treated with a massage as well. Atherton believes Shubman Gill ought to have been requested to depart the field for treatment and not permitted to stop the game.

Atherton statement on Shubman Gill’s scenario

“At one stage, towards the end of England’s innings, Shubman Gill lay down for treatment on his back, and the umpires condoned a lengthy stoppage, instead of instructing him to leave the field, to allow play to resume,” Atherton stated in The Times.

“From stoppages for minor injuries, to delays for attempted ball changes, to fussiness over the state of the popping crease — once the groundstaff were called on to flatten where the batsmen were standing — the umpires have lost control of this issue,” also wrote by Atherton.

The main problem throughout the game has been the frequent ball changes. At one point, the substitute ball needed to be swapped out right away. Prior to the start of the 95th over, Shubman Gill requested a switch and took the ball from Sharfudduola. This will result in a spirited exchange between the Indian captain and the umpire. Mohammad Siraj looked annoyed, approaching the umpire and asking, “Are you serious,” as captured by the stump mics

At stumps, Joe Root of England mentioned that only three requests for changing the ball should be accepted.

“I personally think that if you want to keep getting the ball changed, then each team gets three challenges every 80 overs and that’s it, if you want to get it changed. That would be a nice way of compromising and saying it’s not all on the manufacturer. Sometimes these things happen but you can’t just keep asking and wasting time and slowing the game down at the same time.”

Root stated it’s not the “end of the world.” “It’s one of those situations where if the balls start deforming, you swap them out and don’t create a fuss about it.” I don’t believe it’s the apocalypse. I believe it introduces a unique dynamic to the game, and you must possess the skill to adjust to the variations, whether it ceases swinging, begins swinging, or moves a bit more… I am aware that they are crafted by hand, so you will never find two balls that are precisely identical. “I believe this summer has been somewhat unusual for us.”