[sunny]

Javagal Srinath will make his debut as the latest member of the Emirates Elite Panel of match referees when he takes charge of the Sri Lanka-South Africa Test series later this month. He will officiate in both matches of the series, the first starting July 27 and the second starting August 4. I think he will do a good job.

 

[bhajji]

I have heard he’s a bit of a stuffed shirt. A sports journalist friend of mine said Srinath is a really serious person who takes everything very literally. How would that affect his refereeing?

 

[gameplans]

I see your point Bhajji. I guess a too-literal interpretation of the rulebook can be a problem. But all I can say is that as long as he isn’t a horror like Chris Broad, he should be fine! He’ll be working with umpires Mark Benson and Billy Bowden, and that means he will probably have quite a lot of work to do, because Bowden gets everything wrong

 

[Liza]

Seriously, I had no idea match referees had so much to do. It appears that they have to hold pre-series meetings with the host Board, conduct a ground inspection and meet with the umpires and captains and officials of both teams to run through playing conditions. And that’s even before the match starts.

 

[runout]

Liza, that is why Srinath has had to ‘train’ under ICC chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle. Let’s see how much he has learnt.