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Billy Bowden Desirous of Officiating in the 2011 World Cup |
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Pitched By Cricket360 Observer
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Tuesday, 10 March 2009 |
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The umpires who were officiating in the Sri Lanka Pakistan test series in Lahore and were in the thick of the action have been rather critical of the security arrangements for them. As a matter of fact they were left to fend for themselves and as a result the elite umpire panel has given a rather scathing report about the level of security in Pakistan more so the kind of it provided to them. In such a scenario would the elite panel be agreeable to officiate in the World Cup 2011. At least one of the umpires does not have any problems about it.
While his colleagues may not be happy with the security arrangements provided to them, and have been scathing about it, Billy Bowden the maverick umpire from New Zealand has a different take on the whole issue. He does not seem to be perturbed by the security scenario and has gone on record to say that he is game for standing in the match. But he has attached a rider to it, ICC should provide the security. Now this rider is indeed the problem area as ICC has clarified that it would not be its responsibility to provide security to the players for the World Cup 2011. Now if this be the case what impact would it have on the umpiring in the World Cup? It would be the most prestigious tournament and if on account of security considerations, ICC Elite umpires do not officiate it could have serious repercussions on the nature of the game itself. Billy Bowden has gone on the record to hope that the ICC would be judicious enough to arrive at a conclusion about holding the ICC World Cup in 2011 that is being jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The question of security was put into perspective by Bowden by drawing inferences from the postponement of the Champions Trophy last year, when ICC felt that the atmosphere was not conducive for conducting the matches. In such a scenario, the moot point is whether all the remaining countries, apart from Pakistan can be clubbed under the same category as there has not been any postponement on account of security related issues of any matches so far. Bowden was also however considerate about the reports that have been given by his colleagues after the lasts in Lahore and he underlined the fact that there indeed was an emotional angle associated with the issue.
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