The Australian left-handed opener David Warner lashed out at the umpiring decisions during the ICC World Cup 2023 and has asked for the stats of umpires to be shown during the match.
During the game against Sri Lanka, which Australia won comfortably, Warner looked visibly frustrated as he was given out LBW by the on-field umpire. However, as the 36-year-old opted for the review, the ball wasn’t completely hitting the stumps but he was still given out on “umpires call”.
Two days after the incident, Warner opened up on the incident and stated that he asked the on-field umpire, Joel Wilson, why he gave it out.
"I just sprayed out loud in frustration pretty much - not just at myself - but [because] it kept low, and normally when something hits me on the leg on the outside, I know it's pretty much going down leg," Warner said.
"I asked Joel when I was out there just what happened, why did he give it out. He said the ball was swinging back. To his credit, if he thinks that then that's why he's given the decision. But then when you see the replay of how it unfolded, you get a little bit annoyed. That's out of our control.”
Warner then gave reference of Rugby Leagues where they show the statistics of match umpires.
"There's a lot to say in terms of what I'd like to see. This probably won't get across, but players' stats go up on the board as you walk out to bat. When they announce the umpires, and they come up on the screen, I'd love to see their stats come up on the board as well. Because we see that in the NRL (National Rugby League). NRL shows those stats. I think the NFL (National Football League) shows those stats [as well]. I think it's a great thing for the spectators to see as well,” he said.
"Obviously players get dropped for poor performances. It's never explained to us what goes on with the panel. It's just an indicator. It's just little things to show spectators [that] it's not easy. You can explain where it's not easy, [and] why it's not easy, and then when good decisions are made, they can explain it. I just think it's something that could be explored."
Warner then said that he would like to know how the ICC’s ball-tracking technology provider Hawk-Eye works.
"At the moment, we seem to be waiting for [ball-tracking]," Warner said. "And as a player, you get more frustrated because you think, 'Did they line it up? What's the impact points? how many impact points are there before it goes on?'.
"I've never had Hawk-Eye come in and explain to us how the technology actually works; it's just for the TV. If they could come in and explain to us how it works, then sometimes we might not refer, or [actually] refer it."
- David Warner
