Cricket: Llong moved off third umpire duty

Television umpire, Nigel Llong, looks on from his position during day three of the Third Test match between Australia and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

Nigel Llong has been moved off third umpire duty for the second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Llong, who was at the centre of an umpiring controversy during New Zealand's series in Australia, was initially listed by the ICC as third umpire in Hamilton but will now be one of the on-field officials in both matches, according to reports from Cricinfo.

He was appointed to the series despite the International Cricket Council admitting he made a mistake in the Black Caps' third test loss to Australia.

The ICC released a statement saying Llong was incorrect in making his controversial decision during day two of the day-night test.

Llong came into the spotlight when the Black Caps reviewed a not-out decision, believing Nathan Lyon was caught at second slip off the bowling of Mitchell Santner.

The Kiwis were confident they would have an appeal for the overturned by the Decision Review System only for the original verdict to remain despite a clear mark on the hot spot technology suggesting he had hit the ball.

Llong uttered the now-memorable phrase of "There's a mark on a bat, but it could come from anywhere."

Lyon was on 0 at the time, and went on to make 34 in a 74-run stand, the biggest of the match, to pull Australia back into the match, which they eventually won.

Llong will officiate New Zealand's two-Test series with Sri Lanka along with Richard Kettleborough and Paul Reiffel. Kettleborough will be the third umpire for the second Test, which begins on December 18, instead of Llong.