5 times when umpires were the talking point in cricket matches

5. Sri Lanka vs England, 1998-99

During an ODI between Sri Lanka and England back in January 1999, Muttiah Muralitharan found himself in a bit of a controversy. The umpiring duo of Tony McQuillan and Ross Emerson called the off-spinner for throwing. It was the same set of umpires, who called the tweaker during a tri-nation series in 1995-96.

Murali had to miss the rest of the tournament and had to come back with a remodelled action. However, in 1999, skipper Arjuna Ranatunga was seen in a heated argument with umpire Emerson. The fact that the ICC had cleared Murali went against the umpire.

Thereafter, Ranatunga led his players off the field while protesting against the umpires. In the end, Ranjith Fernando, manager of the Sri Lankan team, convinced Ranatunga to carry on with the match. Emerson, on the other hand, wasn’t allowed to officiate in the rest of the matches.