Calls for TV umpire specialists after Llong blunder

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum talks to the umpire during day two of the Third Test match between Australia and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

Calls have grown for specialist television officials in cricket after it emerged Nigel Llong had not sat in the TV umpire's chair for seven months before the Adelaide test.

Llong has come under fire for his handling of the Black Caps appeal for a catch off Nathan Lyon during day two of the third test in Adelaide.

It has been revealed Llong had not been the television official since April for a one-dayer in Bangladesh. His last test appearance in the video box was in October 2014.

This had lent weight to calls for the TV umpire to be a specialist role.

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported an insider familiar with the workings of TV referrals described the episode as a "cluster f***". The newspaper claims officials were particularly embarrassed when Llong was sent the track for the wrong delivery during his deliberations.

Yesterday, New Zealand coach Mike Hesson confirmed team management has sent a "please explain" to the International Cricket Council over the controversial decision review system call, demanding to know how Llong arrived at the verdict which angered the team and baffled many cricket followers.

The coach was at pains to point out the Kiwis did not have any qualms over the technology, just how it was used.

"Technology has got a bit of a bad rap, I don't think there's anything wrong with the technology," Hesson said. "There is a process that needs to be followed with these decisions and we need to make sure that process was followed correctly."

"I think everyone at the ground saw what unfolded. I think it's been spoken about a lot.
We've certainly made a representation to the ICC. At present we're still waiting an acceptable response."

The Kiwis were confident they would have an appeal for a catch against Lyon overturned by DRS only for the original verdict to remain despite strong evidence suggesting the Australian had hit the ball.

Had Lyon, who had yet to score, been given out, Australia would have been 9-118, 84 runs behind the Black Caps. The tailender made a vital 34, enabling the hosts to turn what was shaping as a sizeable first-innings deficit into a 22-run lead.