Doctrove ‘ruining Test’

What’s the point of Billy Doctrove?

I’m sure he’s a nice fellow. I’m sure he means well. And I’m fairly sure he can hold bowlers’ jumpers almost as well as a hat stand.

But apart from that?

He’s hopeless. His performance in this Test has been awful. Terrible.

Although he has – at last – upheld one LBW appeal, he’s turned down a host of other ones that were just as good. Three, at least, have been so clearly out that even Stevie Wonder could have given them.

Of course umpires will make the occasional error. Of course we should accept that.

But this fellow is hardly ever right. His inability to make decisions is making a mockery of the game and could have a huge bearing on the result.

His worst moment came on the second day when he called for a referral for a run-out decision. Ponting was past the stumps by the time the bails were removed. Everyone in the ground knew it except the hapless Doctrove.

Doctrove is ruining this Test. He should be removed from the ‘elite’ list immediately and forced to prove himself at a lower standard.