August 3rd, 2013
Geoffrey Boycott has slammed umpire Marais Erasmus and called on the ICC to drop him from the series following another day of controversial decisions in the third Test at Old Trafford.
Audio: Ashes perspective: Geoffrey Boycott (ABC News)
The South African official has been at the centre of a wealth of disputable decisions since the series began at Trent Bridge, and Boycott believes the only solution is for him to be pulled altogether.
Erasmus ruled Tim Bresnan out caught behind when England took to the crease in the latter stages of the second day of play in Manchester, though replays showed he had not made contact, the ball hitting his trousers.
The Decision Review System and the vexed question of when umpires should be helped by technology have been behind several talking points this Ashes, with Australia batsman Usman Khawaja's dismissal in the third Test at Old Trafford the latest.
In the first Test at Trent Bridge, Erasmus ruled in Ashton Agar's favour when he looked to have been stumped on six. He also controversially overturned Aleem Dar's original not out decision and instructed him to give Jonathan Trott out lbw.
As the host broadcaster was using Hotspot to illustrate a replay of the previous wicket, the thermal imaging system was not available to Erasmus.
At Lord's, Chris Rogers missed his attempted pull at an accidental full toss from Graeme Swann, a ball the off-spinner later said was the worst he'd bowled, and was struck at box height. Erasmus upheld England's lbw appeal and Rogers opted against a referral.
But replays showed the ball missing leg-stump.
With a rising number of debatable calls being made by Erasmus, Boycott added his voice to those calling for a replacement umpire.
"What would worry me is Erasmus the umpire," Boycott said at the close of play on day two. "He's had a shocker this series.
"If I was batting tomorrow I would be more worried about when I'm batting and he's umpiring at the bowler's end than I would be about Australia's bowlers.
"That was a straightforward decision (Bresnan).
"If I was the ICC I wouldn't defend the indefensible, I would say 'listen he's not doing the job he needs to have a rest'."
While Boycott has been frank in his assessment of Erasmus, Australia captain Michael Clarke offered a more diplomatic response when asked about the umpiring this series.
"I don't think it's smart for me to go into it," he said. "The result is the result. Let's move on."
England is 2 for 52 in reply to Australia's first innings 7 for 527 declared, a deficit of 475 runs, in a match the tourists need to win, 2-0 down with three to play.
