Daily Times

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked it’s contracted 2019 World Cup commentators to observe restraint while commenting, in order to ensure fairness during criticism. According to Mumbai Mirror, an Indian newspaper, the ICC was concerned with the way former West Indies fast-bowler, and now a renowned commentator, Michael Holding lashed out at umpires due to the controversial calls made during his national side’s match against Australia on Thursday. Holding called umpiring ‘atrocious’ and ‘weak’ as West Indies lost the game by a narrow margin of 15 runs.

Kiwi umpire Chris Gaffaney failed to notice a clear no-ball from Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc, before the delivery which led to opener Chris Gayle’s dismissal – a ball which should have been a free-hit. “I’m sorry but the umpiring in this game has been atrocious,” Holding said on air. “For one, even when I was playing and they were not as strict as they are now, you were allowed one appeal. You don’t appeal two, three, four times to the umpire. That is the first thing.” West Indies also successfully reviewed four appeals, which meant that four umpiring calls were overturned. Multiple commentators have confirmed receiving emails from the ICC, regarding this matter.

The World Cup commentary team includes Michael Clarke, Nasser Hussain, Ian Bishop, Sourav Ganguly, Melanie Jones, Kumar Sangakkara, Michael Atherton, Alison Mitchell, Brendon McCullum, Graeme Smith and Wasim Akram. Other big names who will commentate through the tournament include Shaun Pollock, Michael Slater, Mark Nicholas, Michael Holding, Isa Guha, Pommie Mbangwa, Sanjay Manjrekar, Harsha Bhogle, Simon Doull, Ian Smith, Ramiz Raja, Athar Ali Khan and Ian Ward.