Michael Holding responds to ICC ‘censorship’ after criticising umpires

In a terse reply Holding questioned why he was the only commentator included on the email chain and added: “If those umpires yesterday were Fifa officials, they would have been told to pack their bags and head home. They would not have been given another World Cup game to officiate. As a former cricketer, I think cricket should be held to a higher standard. Is the objective to protect the umpires even when they do a bad job?”

Holding added that such requests are why “commentators are being more and more compromised by controlling organisations to the point of censorship”.

Holding and the ICC have stated the matter has been resolved, with Holding continuing to broadcast from the tournament.