Ford: Let technology look after the line call

Umpire Tucker's controversial no-ball call against Pradeep added to Sri Lanka's frustration after it had also seen a couple of reviews go against the team in Sunday's afternoon session.

Published : Jun 13, 2016 21:24 IST , London

Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford has urged the ICC to use video technology to rule on front-foot no-balls.
Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford has urged the ICC to use video technology to rule on front-foot no-balls.
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Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford has urged the ICC to use video technology to rule on front-foot no-balls.

Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford has urged the ICC to use video technology to rule on front-foot no-balls after Nuwan Pradeep appeared to be harshly denied the wicket of Alex Hales at Lord's on Sunday.

Hales contributed 94 as England set Sri Lanka a target of 362, which the touring team subsequently trimmed by 30 without losing a wicket on the fourth evening.

However, the opener could have been dismissed for 58, when he was bowled by Pradeep only for umpire Rod Tucker to rule that the seamer had overstepped.

Subsequent replays suggested part of Pradeep's foot may have been behind the line and a disgruntled Ford said: "It''s disappointing from our side because it probably would have meant that the game situation would have been slightly different.

"Nuwan Pradeep bowled so damn well and had such bad luck. And if ever a guy deserved to get five wickets at Lord's, it was him, so [we're] sad for him in many ways."

Ford continued: "I guess it's something that the ICC are going to have to look at. It just seems strange with the technology that's available that you can still get a line call wrong. The line doesn't move and surely we can get to a point where that problem can be taken out of cricket.

"You'd think the best solution would be for the umpires to worry about what's going on down the other end and let technology look after the line call."

Umpire Tucker's controversial no-ball call against Pradeep added to Sri Lanka's frustration after it had also seen a couple of reviews go against the team in Sunday's afternoon session.

Sri Lanka duly hung its national flag over the team balcony, before removing it following a request from MCC, which does not allow flags or banners to be displayed at Lord's.

"At that stage we felt the boys were fighting hard and we wanted to show our support from the dressing room to boost their morale - only for us to find out that's not the done thing and we had to take it down," explained Ford.

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