Madan Singh demands clarification

Greig, Singh has alleged through his letter dated March 16, had commented after the no-ball call that it was “ridiculous” and “disgusting” several times.

Singh has also alleged that Greig had commented: “This is the worst thing I have ever seen in 20 years” or words to that effect and that “the Indian team could have won the match even without help from the umpire” thereby implying that “My decision of calling the no-ball was in order to help India win the match.”

“Your irresponsible and baseless statements made on television, sir, have caused me loss of reputation and prestige and have also caused me and my family mental anguish,” Singh has written to Greig, a copy of which he has sent to the producer of Australia’s Channel 9 network which was in charge of producing TV pictures during the series.

“Subsequent replays of the no-ball incident have presented the correct picture and showed that it was, in fact, a no-ball and my call was correct. I seem to have missed, if at all it was made, your subsequent statement setting the record straight about this incident,” Madan Singh has written.

“I write to request you to make such a statement stating the correct position and presenting your revised views about the competence and integrity of the concerned umpire. I do hope these views have undergone a revision,” he has written.

He has also asked why an umpire should be subjected to ridicule by anyone, including expert TV commentators. “Our job is becoming increasingly difficult in the glare of unfair criticism by all, commentators included. Electronic gadgetry is not available to us for making our decisions but we are judged by them,” he said.

“It is the easiest thing in the world to call yourself an expert after the incident is viewed three times in slow motion and a decision arrived at,” he stated. “Surely, with your expertise, you must realise that at the end of 100 overs there is, on most Indian pitches, no crease left. The umpire struggles to maintain some kind of reference line to help him give a ruling on no-ball which is made standing eight to 10 feet and more behind the bowler running away,” Madan Singh has written.

“The umpire does not stand in line with the popping crease and does not also have the benefit of slow motion (TV replays). What does it matter if he is wrong once in a while ?” he asked.

A copy of the letter has been sent to cricket board secretary Jaywant Lele by the Mumbai-based umpire. In his letter dated March 20 to the editor, Madan Singh alleged the former had made some uncomplimentary and derogatory commnents in his newspaper column about him and his umpiring abilities based on the same no-ball call.

“Sir, the statements made in your article are baseless and inaccurate and have heaped ridicule and dishonour on me,” Singh has said.