Greatbatch questions reviews

Black Caps coach calls for consistency

Last updated: 21st March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Greatbatch questions reviews

Greatbatch: Unhappy with decisions

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New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch has branded the umpire review system "inconsistent" after being on the wrong end of two decisions against Australia.

The Black Caps suffered a nightmare third day of the first Test in Wellington, collapsing to 157 all out in reply to the visitors' first innings total of 459-5 declared.

Australia then enforced the follow-on and claimed five further wickets before the close of play, with New Zealand finishing on 187-5.

But the hosts were hampered by two failed reviews, with the dismissals of Tim Southee and BJ Watling drawing the ire of Greatbatch.

"It's fair to say the system at the moment, it's a little inconsistent," he said.

"We just asked the question whether the system in place at the moment is consistent. The match referee said yes, so we'll get on with it."

Technology

Southee's knick behind was upheld despite replays suggesting he had not made contact while a review of Watling's lbw in the second innings proved inconclusive.

"I'm not sure whether the technology they've got there is good enough as far as frames per second," Greatbatch added.

"Today there was one to BJ Watling, I don't think they had the actual technology they were looking for, (to be) as accurate as they could, but you'll have to ask the umpires."

However, the 46-year-old did not call for system to be scrapped outright.

He said: "The ICC (International Cricket Council) says they're getting more decisions right, from 95 to 98 per cent so you can't argue with that.

"If it's improving decision-making then it's a good thing."

Aggresive

Aussie bowler Doug Bollinger was the star of the day as he rounded out first innings figures of 5-28 before claiming two further wickets in the second innings.

"I felt really, really good today. I didn't try and overdo everything. I just feel like the ball is coming out of my hand well at the moment and I'm really, really enjoying my cricket," he said of his performance.

"I try to bowl aggressive and be in the batsman's face and try and make them as uncomfortable as I can. That's what a fast bowler's job is."

The left-arm seamer said the confidence of the bowlers convinced captain Ricky Ponting to enforce the follow-on.

"Punter (Ponting) asked us how we were going while we were bowling and we said we felt good," Bollinger said.

"I think at that time of the day when we'd bowled them out pretty cheaply it was good to keep going.

"It's worked out so far because they are five down now and hopefully we can get a couple of early ones tomorrow."

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