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When Hussain threatened match referee Clive Lloyd
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Ever heard of a test cricketer threatening a match referee at an official inquiry and getting away scott free? Yes! That was the scene at the Hussain-Muralitharan hearing in front of Match Referee Clive Lloyd following the former England captain's verbal assault at the Lankan spinner during the second test in Kandy.

According to the ICC Code of Conduct for Players, if the person charged is a player, his team captain and team manager should be present at the inquiry. However in this instance the player charged (Hussain), was present but not his skipper Michael Vaughan.

At the hearing Hussain is believed to have hit back and threatened match referee Clive Lloyd saying that if he is reprimanded Lloyd will soon see his lawyers. Shocked and surprised at Hussain's tone and his language Lloyd listened but failed to take any action against the offender.

The umpires and the Sri Lankan players who were present at the inquiry were wondering whether it was Hussain who was calling the shots. What a shame? No wonder Hussain was let off by Lloyd over his verbal onslaught on Muralitharan!
The ICC Code of Conduct for Players states that using language that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, team official or a spectator is a Level Two offence that warrants a fine of the equivalent of between 50% of the player's or official's match fee up to their full match fee and/or a 1 test match or 2 ODI match ban.

Despite not having evidence on Murali's complaint, the match referee could have at least reprimanded Hussain. But that was not to be as Lloyd played it safe. As Tony Greig put it, if Hashan Tilakaratne was involved and not Hussain, it would have been interesting to note what action Lloyd would have taken.

Hussain's outburst on Muralitharan may have stemmed from the fact that the batsman is in a hole and struggling with the bat where his average in this series is even below that of the Lankan spinner.Vaughan let off Clive Lloyd’s leniency towards the visiting Englishmen did not end there. When Muralitharan was dismissed (bowled) in the first innings under controversial circumstances, the England captain insisted on TV replays.

This is what the ICC official playing regulations 2002/2003 states with regard to the Standard Playing Conditions for test matches - Players may not appeal to the umpire to use the replay system-breach of this provision would constitute dissent and the spectators and viewers that Vaughan appealed and insisted for a TV replay from the Umpire. If this is the case why didn't Lloyd take him to task, at least an official reprimand! Here again the match referee has failed to perform his legitimate duty.
It was evident that the English batsman were wasting time on the last day of the test match. In fact they were even warned by the umpires.

The Cricket Law states that it is unfair for batsmen to waste time. Should either batsman waste time the umpire shall warn the batsmen and indicate that this is a first and final warning. If there is any further time wasting by any batsman in that innings the umpires are required to report the occurrence to the ICC match referee who is empowered to take action as is considered appropriate against the captain and players and if appropriate, the team concerned. However despite the England captain himself guilty of wasting time and being warned by the umpires the English batsman continued in the same manner. Surprisingly no further action was taken by the umpires or the match refree.

Over the years this has been the trend with most of the match referees. When it comes to an Englishman or an Australian the match referees fear to use their legitimate powers. If he does, he may be out of his job and subsequently out of pocket. To think that the former West Indies great is also in this category of match referees is sad and a loss to the game, perhaps a gain to the Englishman.

Come on Clive! Stand up to what is right and have the conviction to do what has to be done or else step down and let someone else do the job. Don't disgrace the ICC and the game, After all match referees are supposed to ensure that the ICC Code of Conduct is implemented and the game is played in the right spirit. Isn't it?

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