Arthur comfortable with local umpires officiating in South Africa

By Bipin Dani

Sri Lankan head coach Mickey Arthur is comfortable with local umpires officiating the two Tests in South Africa. 

The introduction of two home team umpires for bilateral series after nearly two decades due to the logistical challenges of travelling given flight restrictions in place globally will mean South African umpires will officiate in both the Tests. 

West Indies captain Jason Holder recently pressed for an end to cricket’s insistence on home umpires because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“If we can travel and do a quarantine, I don’t see why an opposing (team) umpire can’t do the travel and quarantine. If players are making the sacrifice and go on the road and continue cricket then I feel as though the umpires should do the same", he said. 

However, Sri Lankan coach, Mickey Arthur has no issues with the South African umpires officiating in both the Tests. "I am comfortable with the home umpires. I don't think any umpires in the world would be biased. I am okay with the local umpires'," during a virtual media conference on Monday. 

Marais Erasmus, one of the ICC's Elite Panel umpires will be in charge of the first Test beginning at the Centurion on Boxing Day. 

Zimbabwe's Andy Pycroft will be the match referee for the forthcoming Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka, it is learnt. 

According to sources in the ICC, the 65-year-old Pycroft is already in South Africa. 

Pycroft became a member of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees in March 2009 and has so far officiated in 344 international matches (76 Tests, 178nODIs and 90 T-20Is). 

In the meantime, all 21 players and support staff members of the visiting team had given second PCR tests on Tuesday.

The results of these tests were due late last night.

The tests were conducted by the South African medical panel.