Umpire Kumar Dharmasena out from World Cup

Umpire Kumar Dharmasena out from World Cup because of wrong decision?

Kumar Dharmasena is participating as an umpire representing Sri Lanka at the World Cup Cricket Tournament being held these days and it is reported that he would not find a place in the

future in the tournament because of a criticism aimed at him by the authorities as a result of of a debatable decision he has given regarding a run out.

He had given this incorrect verdict in relation to a case of James Anderson of the defeated England team being given out in the last match between Australia and England which resulted in giving victory to the Australian side. When this decision was given, though England was in sight of their defeat, Taylor who had scored 98 was facing an anxious moment of clinching the century. At that very moment the players appealed to Umpire Alim Daar appealing that Taylor was guilty of covering the wicket and the Umpire did decide that the player was out. However, Taylor challenged his decision and referred the decision to the Third Umpire. During that process when both batsmen were crossing each other for another run, Australian fielders were successful in making James Anderson run out when he was at the other end. At that moment Kumar Dharmasena who was acting as the Second Umpire without any hesitancy ruled out James Anderson as out. But Kumar Dharmasena had given his decision without knowing that when an umpire on the grounds had been in the process of determining that one player has been ruled out, and the ball is then considered to be a 'no ball' according to the existing law, it cannot be given out as a second dismissal.

Whatever it is, what then happened was that the appeal made to the Third Umpire about the dismissal of covering the wicket was withheld and the game ended with the decision given by Dharmasena being accepted. Thereby Taylor was deprived of the century which he was to get.

According to a communique issued by the International Cricket Council, as per Clause 3.6 of the Cricket Rules, since that run out should be considered an unlawful dismissal, the Umpire must accept the responsibility of the blunder.

It is stated in Clause 3.6 that after the decision is given by the umpire who is guilty of the mistake of giving the verdict of covering the wicket, the ball is considered a 'dead ball' and subsequently the player cannot be judged as being dismissed. As such, it is reported that Umpire Kumar Dharmasena's possibility of participating at the World Cup is doubtful.

According to the book on Cricketing Law, this is how it is interpreted: