banning lbw's!!

[Roasty]

I’ve been given 2 LBW’s for my bowling effort, and offered 1 against when umpiring myself. I don’t think that LBW’s should be banned but the abuse given by bowlers and fielders should stop. I’m totally in favour of non-abusive sledging without swearing, but the swearing at umpires and batsmen is getting worse. I love receiving some good sledging, it makes me play better and concentrate more, but when your called a c*** by the oppo for not giving an LBW then that’s not on at all.

[ginster]

I can see where you're coming from with this, but have to say that I disagree completely. As far as debate and controversy about umpiring decisions goes, its not up to us to change the laws of the game to avoid them, maybe just havea concerted effort to avoid letting htem get too heated. As far as I am concerned, if you get rid of LBWs, people will then start to copmlain about run outs not being given - will we then ban them? or maybe caught behind appeals?

As you say, we're all playing 'cos we love to play, and if we can't:

a. umpire to the best of our ability, without prejudice.
b. accept the umpires decisions in reasonable grace ( I accept that frustration is caused, but I don't think there is anythign wrong with this, provided it doesn't turn into abuse, and the game can carry on in good spirit).

Then frankly its not the laws of the game that need looking into, it's us, the players that need to take a good long look at ourselves.

cheers,

Andy

[Stokesy29]

I can understand the problem but can't see that banning lbw's altogether is good idea. As a bowler myself I have had a couple of dubious decisions go against me but have had some given. Maybe insted of banning them bowlers should not expect them so when they are given it is a bonus. Banning them altogether would lead to a whole host of problems namely based around the batsmen's ability to simply stick his pad in front of his stumps every ball and try to whack the ball out the ground knowing full well that if he misses and the ball strikes his pad he is safe. It would encourage poor technique from batsmen particularly from younger players and would lower their standard of play.
And another thing, if you banned lbw's why not ban faint edges to wicketkeeper's as they are rarely given either! ;-)

[djbbb]

This may seem a stupid idea and goes against the laws of the game but let me explain.

Most of the arguements/disagreements that ive been involved/party to seems to stem from lbw decisions not being given. It seems to me that rather than just getting on with the game or quietly asking the umpire why not, ive seen far too many instances of players abusing the umpire.Im personally getting fed up of this.

We all play because we enjoy the game, as far as i know we dont get paid to play and dont get any financial reward for winning the league!

So why cant we all start playing the game more fairly and friendly? If the best way to cut down on a lot of these problems (and im pretty sure this happens in every division) is to abolish lbws then why not?

Before anyone asks i have been as guilty as some for not giving descisions (especially after bowling 1st and being given nothing). I would also point out ive given four which is three more than ive recieved from opposition umpires. So what happens is you tend to remember who is fair and who isnt and begin to umpire accordingly which is completely wrong.

I know people will argue how we aren't professional umpires and how hard it is to be sure but this isn't a good excuse if we are being honest with ourselves.

Im not asking for stories about who is good or bad just a response to the idea.

Please let me know what you think about the idea of banning lbws?