The Case Against Neutral Umpires
In my 5th contribution to ESPNCricinfo in 2021, I showed that the experience of the covid-era Tests which featured home umpires from the ICC’s Elite and International panels demonstrates that umpires are not biased, and that there is no longer a case for neutral umpires in Test cricket.
This is the updated record under home umpires as of today (December 22, 2021). 45 Tests featuring home umpires have been played since Test cricket resumed in July 2020 following the first covid lock down.
In summary, the home side had 68 successful player reviews in 305 attempts, while the visitors 96 successful reviews in 339 attempts. This shows that in the 45 Tests featuring home umpires, the home side would have got 28 extra decisions, had it not been for player reviews.
The home side had 60 player reviews fail on account of umpire’s call in 305 attempts. The visitors had 63 player reviews fail on account of umpire’s call in 339 attempts. Umpire’s call signifies a marginal decision which goes against the reviewing team.
In the 48 Tests preceding the lock down which featured neutral umpires, the home side was successful in 79 out of 218 player reviews, while the visitors were successful in 57 out of 212 player reviews. The home side failed in 36 reviews on account of umpire’s call, while the visitors failed in 35. Absent DRS, the visitors would have gotten 22 extra decisions in those 48 Tests.
This then, is the comparison. Under home umpires, the home side would have gotten 28 extra favorable decisions in 45 Tests (but didn’t on account of DRS), while under neutral umpires, the visitors would have gotten 22 extra favorable decisions in 48 Tests (but didn’t on account of DRS). The umpire’s call figures suggest that both sides were at the losing end of marginal decisions equally often.
The full essay contains greater detail, but this is the gist of the case against neutral umpires. The ICC’s elite and international panel umpires are competent, and given the assistance of DRS, are nearly flawless. There’s no evidence of incompetence, let alone bias. There’s no reason to worry about home umpires standing in Tests.