“The umpire is always right,” — that’s the first rule every cricketer has to get used to. Hawk eyes, match-referees, television replays, ground mikes are fast making the game more and more dependent on technology, while the responsibility and power of the on-field umpires is being subject to regular scrutiny by all and sundry.There are those who believe that over dependence on such methods will hurt the very essence of the game, and the glorious uncertainty of cricket could vanish. Others insist, if proper technology is available, it should be put to good use.And what do the umpires themselves feel? The Sunday Express caught up with two of the best — one a legend from an era gone by and the other who is currently one of the best in the business — Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird and Simon Taufel.It is 11 years since Bird last stood in a Test match, his exit came at a time when gadgets were being fast introduced to various aspects of the game, umpiring included. It was also four years before Taufel made his debut as an umpire. That match, as many Indians including Sourav Ganguly would remember, was the one between India and England at Lord’s, in 1996.“Good umpiring stems from confidence, being positive in believing that what you’ve seen is how you’ve judged and have been fair to the game,” says Bird. Post-retirement, and now 74 years of age, the Yorkshire elder is busy contributing for channels here during Test matches.“I was fortunate to have stood there when the best played. To hear it from them, that my umpiring was good was a great compliment. I believe it is true that it doesn’t get better if you have both sides coming and telling you after a Test match that the umpiring has been good,” says Bird.In his prime, he stood in 66 Tests and it would be hard to believe that he never faltered. But at the highest level, he explains, “it is about minimising errors as much as possible.”To minimise errors is exactly what the International Cricket Council (ICC) is trying to do through technology. Taufel, who is in Bird’s own words, “one of the better ones out there,” agrees with the efforts being made. “Mistakes are bound to happen. What can help is if the frequency can be minimised. That comes with time, the experience of officiating in great matches, that teaches you,” says Taufel, thrice chosen, successively, as ICC’s top umpire.True, that Bird in his 24 years of extraordinary service, officiated in just 24 Tests more than what Taufel has already stood for in eight years. The Aussie, however, regards the former umpire as the best he has known. “Bird’s legacy will be about the way he did his job. And not just umpiring. He had the knack of not letting the game suffer at any time.”Perhaps with Bird around, the World Cup final fiasco wouldn’t have happened. Or maybe even the Oval ball-tampering controversy may have been handled better. Bird, however, doesn’t comment on that. “There’s a job to do, with a lot of pressure involved. That is why I said, my time was also about the players who I officiated for. They were great in their own rights,” he added. True, talking to Bird and having the likes of Taufel around, it is evident that if players revel in honesty, umpiring needn’t get all technical.
