Cricket is a game of fine margins, where an umpire’s decision can elevate heroes or crush hopes. Throughout its storied history, there have been umpiring errors so blatant they changed the course of matches, series, and even careers. From pre-DRS controversies to modern-day failures of judgment, these mistakes revealed flaws in officiating, ignited controversy, and sparked debates about technology, fairness, and the spirit of the game. Below is a curated list of 15 of the most egregious umpiring blunders, decisions so wrong they live on in infamy.
1. Six Overthrow Runs in 2019 World Cup Final (Eng vs NZ)
Ben Stokes’ overthrow deflected off his bat and crossed the boundary. The umpire awarded 6 runs instead of 5 (ball + boundary), altering the target dramatically. That extra run arguably swung the match in England’s favor.
2. Sachin’s ‘Shoulder Before Wicket’ LBW (1999 Adelaide Test)
Tendulkar ducked a short ball that hit his shoulder, not the bat, but umpire Daryl Harper gave him out lbw. Replays showed the ball probably would have missed the stumps.
3. B. C. Cooray’s Disastrous Kandy Test, 2001 (Sri Lanka vs England)
Over 13 clear mistakes in one match: Cooray denied loud lbw appeals, misjudged catches (e.g., Jayasuriya out on bump-bounce), and earned the ire of fans who carried signs accusing him of corruption.
4. Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson’s Errors (2008 SCG Test, India vs Australia)
In a match with 11 controversial decisions (eight against India), errors included Symonds and Dravid being wrongly adjudged, plus Ganguly given out caught when the ball bounced.
5. Rudi Koertzen Rules Sangakkara Out From the Pad (2004 Test)
Rudi Koertzen gave Sangakkara out caught at slip when the ball struck his arm/pad—not bat ending his 192-run innings. Sri Lanka lost by 96 runs.
6. Daryl Harper’s Misjudged Sachin Dismissal (again)
Another incident during India vs Australia saw Sachin given lbw off a shoulder strike—harsh and widely derided.
7. Rahul Dravid and Symonds Both Victims of Bucknor’s Call (2008 SCG)
Dravid was given out for an edge that didn’t exist. Symonds was wrongly ruled not out despite a clear nick—he went on to make 162*.
8. Run-Out Decision Gets Reversed Balky Decision (BBL, 2024)
In a Big Bash match, Sam Billings was clearly run out per replay, but no appeal had been made. Umpires let him stay, and he went on to score 72, contributing to a win.
9. Darrell Hair & Ball-Tampering Forfeit (2006 Oval Test)
Pakistan was penalized; they refused to take the field after tea. Umpires awarded the match to England by forfeiture the first such finish in over a century.
10. England vs NZ 2019 Final—Overthrow Rule Misapplication (revisited)
New Zealand should’ve scored 5 runs, not 6. MCC later confirmed that the call was incorrect, and the incorrect extra run was decisive.
11. Aleem Dar Gives Stuart Broad Not Out (2013 Ashes Test)
Broad nicked the ball onto the slip cordon yet was given not out by Aleem Dar. England won by just 14 runs, prompting a huge backlash.
12. Fake Appeal Leads to Buttler’s Dismissal (SL vs ENG 2014 ODI)
A Sri Lankan fielder faked an appeal, tricking the umpire to give Buttler out caught behind, though there was no edge.
13. Dravid & Tendulkar Dismissals by Aleem Dar in 2011 India-Pakistan ODI
Aleem Dar wrongly adjudged two edges not out—or out? His inconsistent calls caused uproar.
14. Joel Wilson Fails Zimbabwe in Third-Umpire Call (Zimbabwe vs Ireland)
Sean Williams’ catch was ruled out even though the ball contacted the rope (boundary), costing Zimbabwe a narrow loss.
15. Ross Emerson’s Repeated No-Balls to Muralidharan (1999 Adelaide Test)
Emerson repeatedly no-balled Muralitharan even for legal leg breaks and refused to alter course. The Sri Lankan captain led his team off in protest mid-match. Emerson was later dropped.