A leading Bradford League umpire has accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of cowardice in their handling of the current dispute between Australia and India.

Glyn Pearson, chairman of the Bradford League Umpires' Association, said: "When the ICC's elite panel of umpires was established some years ago, it was intended to remove all the controversy regarding umpiring.

"But during the last couple of years, the ICC seem to have followed a policy of appeasement rather than having the courage to stand up and face the issues.

"First of all Darrell Hair was taken off the list after Pakistan complained about him after the Oval Test of 2006. Now exactly the same has happened to Steve Bucknor after India complained."

Pearson added: "All umpires make mistakes, just as all players do, and an umpire will have a bad game from time to time just as a player will.

"Instead of recognising this and telling Pakistan and India that the umpires are part of the elite panel and have their full backing, the ICC have taken the coward's way out because it is easier to replace an umpire than to discipline a captain or his team.

"But what will happen if Australia or India complain about Billy Bowden, Steve Bucknor's replacement, after the third Test? It is a dangerous precedent that the ICC have set."

Pearson is in favour of greater technology assisting international umpires.

He said: "I think the number of controversial decisions could be reduced by the increased use of technology.

"All spectators have access to slo-mo and hawkeye (which, incidentally, is not infallible) - either on their TV at home or on screens around the ground.

"This is not going to go away and it is wrong that spectators have the use of this technology if the men actually making the decisions do not.

"The use of the replay is now accepted in both codes of rugby and has reduced the number of controversial incidents in those two sports without devaluing the official's role. I feel its wider use would do the same in cricket."

Pearson accepts there is tremendous pressure put on officials by international teams in cricket and, in his opinion, there is too much talking (sledging).

"We have all seen the orchestrated appealing, the surrounding of umpires by players," he said.

"In the Bradford League, we are fortunate that the management board have been far more supportive of us than the ICC have been of their umpires.

"But despite the current problems with international cricket, I still feel umpiring is one of the most enjoyable roles in cricket and provides the best seat in the house to see some of the most talented players in the area."

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our on-line forum - Click here