Former West Indies cricketer and current commentator Michael Holding has hit back at the ICC (International Cricket Council) for attempting to censor his rights while live on commentary. Following a few poor umpiring decisions in the game between Australia and West Indies, Holding went after the umpires and received a letter from the ICC asking the former pacer to not reprimand the officiating decisions.
“Inherently in live television, there are occasions when on field decisions cause reason for discussion and debate, but as ICC TV host broadcasters, our duty is not to judge or highlight mistakes,” a leaked letter from the ICC read, according to the Times of India.
Holding allegedly replied to that saying “I am sorry, but I am not going to be part of that. Please let me know if I should be heading back to my home in Newmarket instead of heading to Cardiff because I don’t agree with what is being suggested here and happy not being part of it.”
The incidents being referred to happened when West Indies opener Chris Gayle was wrongly given out twice in the same over, only for the decision to be overturned later via a review. Apart from that, two other umpiring calls that went against West Indies were overturned.
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Simon Wilkinson
