Simon says

What a series we have been witnessing in Pakistan. It has simply thrown everything at us. At the completion of the games so far, I have felt quite drained. Imagine how the gladiators must feel.

There has been so much focus on the players over the last week that it has been easy for us to forget an important cog or two in the success of the series.

The umpires have been carefully selected by the I.C.C. and they have ensured that the best and importantly the most respected have got the nod. It is no surprise that the grand old man of the white coat, David Shepherd, and a man I have got to know well over the past year, Simon Taufel, are doing duty. Simon Taufel’s stature as an umpire grows in every event he stands. Certainly in my view he is the best around at the moment.

Simon stood in the first game in Karachi and following that monumental clash he found he could not sleep due to an extended adrenalin rush. He fancies himself as a bit of a writer does Simon and in the wee hours of the morning he attacked his laptop to record his experience.

His day started by way of a hurried exit through the back door of the hotel at 8.00am. It was the best option to escape the throngs of supporters and anti terrorist troops that engulfed the players in the hotel foyer.

As Simon was escorted to the ground two things struck him. Firstly, all roads were blocked off to ensure a speedy, safe passage. Even all the petrol stations were closed down as a precaution. Troops, armoured cars, police and rangers were perched everywhere, all equipped with weaponry.

The second thing that Simon noticed immediately was the hum emanating from 35,000 people that invaded his eardrums as he approached that stadium. That incessant hum at the start of the game obviously increased to at times hysterical volumes as the spectacle unfolded.

Subsequently, once the battle began, it was impossible for Simon to hear any edges in the middle and to add to the frustration the two-way radios were rendered totally useless. Communication with the third umpire or match referee was impossible. Simon offered that he learnt a great deal about umpiring in that first game as audio assistance went out of the window and with caught behind appeals he had to rely on other senses and cricket instincts to survive the day.

He said the M.C.G. is loud, but not every ball all day long. Simon had an experience he will remember forever. He is not even sure it was called cricket….. it was better than that!

During the first game there was one casualty that was not well chronicled. It must be a tough game when the match referee cops an injury. Ranjan Mudugalle limped away with a painful memory! It came about as the sightscreens at Karachi had to be increased in height. This meant that the view from the third umpire’s room was obscured.

The authorities quick fix was to erect a raised platform for the officials’ tables and chairs. Ranjan, who is one of the more active match referees, found that climbing down from his high chair at the completion of the game proved a bridge too far.

A damaged calf muscle was an unwanted souvenir that Ranjan took back to his hotel room that night!

Next time you relax in front of your television to check out the action in Pakistan, spare a thought for the umpires in the middle….. and Ranjan’s legacy!!!