Controversial Chris Broad Axed from Referee Panel

By ICF Staff
April 25 2006

ICC has made two changes to their Match Referee Panel: dropped the controversial Chris Broad, and inducted in recent retiree Indian fast bowler Javagal Srinath.

Chris Broad's career as a match referee has matched his career as an international player for England: controversial throughout, and abruptly axed.

This sensible act, driven by ICC Technical Committee Chairman Sunil Gavaskar, will earn plaudits from many who were convinced that ICC was set on a path of dividing the cricketing nations with the subtle message being sent by their match referees: one rule for some, another for others. No official epitomized this attitude more than Broad.

The selection of a true gentleman, recently retired fast bowler Javagal Srinath, has also earned a round of applause from those in the know. Srinath's sense of fair play and sterling judgment is second to none.

Broad has a long record of handing out severe punishments to Asian cricketers for the slightest technical breach of the law, and overlooking the most blatant flouting of the law by the Aussies, as documented in Chris Broad Must Go.

In an encouraging sign for cricket, Chris Broad has gone.