Umpires should handle referrals: Haddin

Just days after the controversial DRS featured prominently in Australia's devastating 14-run loss to England at Trent Bridge, Haddin said power should be given back to umpires.

There's a feeling that the way DRS is being used by teams is undermining the authority of the men in the middle.

Players seem to be losing faith in the old adage that the umpire's decision should be final.

Haddin certainly wasn't in denial about his own dismissal, admitting he knew he'd edged the ball behind off James Anderson to end Australia's gallant run-chase before it went up on the big screen.

He also acknowledged Australia need to get better at using the system.
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But after watching as numerous 50/50 calls were dissected by hawk eye and HotSpot, while Stuart Broad's howler went through, Haddin believes things could be improved if players play and umpires make decisions.

"I personally think the umpires might as well use the reviews," he said.

"I don't think they need to be in the players' hands, to be honest.

"That's what the system was brought in for, the howler. But the system is the same for both teams.

"We just haven't used it very well. That's the bottom line."

Haddin played one of the most courageous innings of his career on day five of the first Test, yet in the end he said: "I didn't do my job."

And he added he didn't see anything wrong with players not walking, even in an obvious case such as Broad's edge to first slip.

"The umpire didn't give me out so I wasn't walking," he said.

"I knew I nicked it. I told James (Pattinson) that I hit it. The umpire just didn't give me.

"It's a personal choice. I see nothing wrong with what Stuart did. The umpire is there to make the decision and he has seen it different to everyone else."

England captain Alastair Cook believes the tactical element of when players choose to go to DRS is a good thing for the game.

As the keeper, Haddin is a vital cog in the Australian process for challenging umpire's calls on the field.

Australia were guilty of a poor referral for a Pattinson lbw shout early in England's second innings, with the ball clearly missing leg.

Ultimately that lost challenge cost them the ability to go upstairs after the horrendous not out call on Broad.

In contrast, England used their referrals wisely and were able to win the Test with the challenge on Haddin's edge at the death.

Haddin said Australia needed to learn to take emotion out of it, particularly from the point of view of the bowler. He said it was up to captain Michael Clarke, first slip Shane Watson and himself to get things right for Lord's.

"It's important we're communicating pretty clearly. We've got to make sure we're not going on emotion, just go on what we see," he said.