Take cue from cricket for better video referral: Ric
NEW DELHI: Himself a first class cricketer for eight years, legendary Australian hockey player and now national team coach in ongoing World Cup, Ric Charlesworth on Saturday called for the use of more technology in deciding the penalty corners by taking cue from cricket.
Charlesworth, a left-hand opening batsman, said he was all for continuing the newly introduced video umpire referral system but it should make improvements by using more cameras to have footage from different angles.
“I am all for it (video umpire referral) but it needs improvement. Cricket in the last 10 years has made a lot of improvement and video umpires in that game now use footage from different angles to take a particular decision. This can be done in hockey also,” he said after Australia beat Spain 2-0 in their penultimate Pool A match.
“This (such improvement) will simplify the game and the work of umpires. Otherwise, the space is very small and lots of players are there (in the striking circle) and you have only footages from one or two angles for the video umpire to decide,” added Charlesworth.
Charlesworth, who had played 47 first class matches for Western Australia from 1972 to 1980 with 2327 runs under his belt, said Spain “wrongly” got a penalty corner after video referral though actually the stick of one of his players was checked by an opposition player (Spanish striker Pol Amat).
“Pol Amat fell down after a contest for the ball but it as he who actually held the stick of one of my defenders. Penalty corner was given (by field umpire) and we asked for a video umpire referral.
“We lost the referral but that was due to video umpire not have footage from different angles,” said Charlesworth who is a 1986 World Cup winner.
Australian captain Jamie Dwyer gave up a thumbs up to the Indian World Cup organisers for the facilities here.
“The facilities here are great. The stadium, the crowd and the atmosphere are simply great. Personally, I love coming to India as it is a great place to play hockey,” said Dwyer who last played in the Champions Trophy in India in 2005 before this World Cup.
Meanwhile, Spanish coach Martin Dani conceded that his side’s chances for a semifinal berth are over and they would look for a fifth-place finish now.
“Our chance is over and we will play for fifth place. The 1-2 loss against Pakistan did us in,” he said.
Star player Amat said except for the 5-2 defeat of India, Spain did not play to their potential.
“It is disappointing to be virtually out of semi-final. Except for the match against India we did not play our best,” he said.