Umpire Richard Illingworth shattered with his "no-ball" call

Umpire Richard Illingworth recently came under the spotlight during the first Test between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington. The Englishman made an incorrect no-ball call and was very disappointed with himself and the call that he made according to the match referee, Chris Broad.

Broad said, "Unfortunately, Richard [Illingworth] was distraught afterwards when he realised that it wasn't a no ball. I think when anyone is proved wrong in any decision that they make, it's clearly embarrassing at the time. But umpires, particularly on the elite panel have a great ability to be able to overcome that feeling and get on with the game. There can be nothing done about it."

The incident took place on the first day as Australian batsman Adam Voges was batting on seven and was bowled by a Doug Bracewell in-swinger. However, Illingworth called it a no-ball for overstepping and Australia was granted a lucky escape. Voges went on to score a massive 239 which helped immensely in Australia’s win.

Richard Illingworth’s no-ball decision when Adam Voges was bowled on 7.

Broad said, "The problem is that when an umpire calls a no-ball, you can't change that decision, because, under the laws, a batsman may change his shot when the no-ball is called. It was called – that's the end of the matter. Richard is a Yorkshireman, he shrugs his shoulders and gets on with it. I'm constantly amazed at how the umpires, when they do make their occasional errors, are able to recover from it."

The Blackcaps have been at the receiving end of such howlers in recent times. During their tour to Australia, in the third Test in Adelaide, Nathan Lyon survived a DRS review when Nigel Llong didn't have conclusive evidence to rule the batsman out. Australia gained a big lead and that helped them win the series.

The New Zealand captain was all in for the use of technology in the post-match ceremony and called for taking the no-ball decisions out of the onfield umpires hands. New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson also supported him and said, "The more decisions right the better. If we can use more technology to do that then decisions like that become less influential. It's something the International Cricket Council are aware of and will discuss… The game's about swings and roundabouts, sometimes you get a bit of fortune sometimes you don't. In this situation, many batsmen get a reprieve but some are good enough to make the most of it and Adam Voges certainly made the most of it."

Interestingly, Broad downplayed the incident and said, "What can you do? Change the laws? I don't know, possibly. But under the current laws and playing conditions, it's what it is. Players, as well as, spectators, media and other officials have just got to go by what is done on the day."