Reflections on Day 6 of First Test: Third Umpire Rules In Favour of Batsman (again!)

If I were ever on trial for my life, I'd want a third umpire sitting on the jury. In the series against Pakistan a run out decision was ruled not out because although the stumps were clearly broken, the umpire could not be certain that the bails were off the stumps. Today Pietersen should have been given out caught and bowled as the television replays showed the ball bounce before the bat. But again the umpire ruled in the batsman's favour as the less reliable head on replay, which is not the best angle to judge the distance between the ball and the ground, appeared to show that the bat, ball and ground collided together in a juxtaposition of uncertainty. Third umpires should be encouraged to give the best decision they can on the evidence available, instead of ruling in favour of the batsman if there is unreasonable doubt.

The game will probably be a draw, but huge credit is due to Cook who became only the 16th England player to score a century on debut. In recent times only Strauss and Thorpe have emulated him, making Cook a great prospect for the future.

It has been suggested that the selectors will have a problem in deciding who should open the innings should Trescothick become available. There is no contest. I'd go for the man who, when his country called, dropped everything, flew half way round the world, fought jet lag and stomach cramps and seized his opportunity to write himself into the record books.