Cricket: No-ball umpire relieved of duty

ADELAIDE - Australian cricket umpire Ross Emerson was stood down yesterday from his two international one-day appointments in Perth this weekend.

Australian Cricket Board (ACB) chairman Denis Rogers said Emerson had been stood down after the ACB became aware that he was on sick leave from his work place due to a stress-related condition.

Emerson is employed by the West Australian Ministry of Fair Trading.

Rogers said the decision had nothing to do with Emerson's controversial no-ball call on Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan in Adelaide on Saturday.

He said the ACB was under a stringent duty of care to minimise the risk of injury or illness to its employees and therefore must undertake a comprehensive review of Emerson's condition.

Both matches in Perth involve the Sri Lankan team.

Peter Parker will replace Emerson in Friday's match against England and Steve Davis will take over as the third umpire for Sunday's game between the Sri Lankans and Australia.

Emerson has been off work for four weeks.

The Western Australian Ministry of Fair Trading could not confirm the nature of Emerson's illness, but said he had applied for workers' compensation.

Ministry chief executive Pat Walker was surprised Emerson was incapable of work when he was able to perform umpiring duties.

Rogers said Emerson had told him in a meeting yesterday his stress condition did not stop him umpiring matches.

"However it is the ACB position that in these circumstances it is both entitled and required to satisfy itself and the cricket public that his admitted medical condition does not impact on his ability to impact on umpiring international cricket matches.

"In other words if he is not fit to be at work, the question has to be asked, `is he fit to officiate in a cricket match?'" - NZPA