Pakistan seeks coach's comments at umpiring criticism in Australia by AFP

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Player:	RA Woolmer
Event:	VB Series 2004/05
Other links:	Woolmer makes his point

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DateLine: 13th February 2005

 

The Pakistan Cricket Board has sought the exact comments made by coach Bob Woolmer against umpiring decisions in Australia, which may lead to a fine or a ban, officials said.

 

"Yes, we have sought Woolmer's comments after the International Cricket Council (ICC) drew our attention over the matter," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan told AFP on Saturday.

 

The ICC Friday said Woolmer, who played 19 Tests for England in 1970s and coached South Africa in the 1990s, was being reported for comments made about the umpires during his team's series against Australia.

 

"Apparently his comments are not severe, but we would see it once we get his comments," said Khan.

 

The comments were deemed to be a violation of the ICC code of conduct, which deals with "public criticism of, or inappropriate comment on a match related incident or match official".

 

The ICC said Friday that the hearing would be dealt with by the Pakistan board.

 

Such breaches carry a minimum penalty of 50 percent of the player or official's match fee and a maximum penalty of their full match fee and possibly a one Test match or two One-Day International match ban.

 

"It went 29-5 against us," Woolmer was quoted as having said by the Brisbane Courier-Mail, in an apparent reference to the umpiring decisions after Pakistan lost both the tri-series finals against Australia.

 

The Pakistan board has also written a letter to the ICC over controversial umpiring decisions and suggested both umpires in a one-day match should be from neutral countries.

 

Currently one-day internationals are controlled by one home and one neutral umpire.

 

ICC earlier this week said it would consider Pakistan's request for using two neutral umpires in one-day internationals.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)