Referee defends Harper over Smith controversy

Johannesburg:

Match referee Roshan Mahanama defended television umpire Daryl Harper after a controversial decision during the fourth and final Test between South Africa and England.

Mahanama denied telling England coach Andy Flower that Harper had failed to adjust the volume of an audio feed from the stump microphone before upholding a decision by on-field umpire Tony Hill to turn down an appeal for a catch behind the wicket against South African captain Graeme Smith.

In a statement issued through the International Cricket Council in Dubai, Mahanama said Harper had followed the correct protocol.

He said the volume on the third umpire's feed was set by a head engineer of the host broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation, and an ICC technical adviser.