Shepherd admits making mistakes

Umpire David Shepherd admitted on Wednesday that he had made mistakes on Monday's final day of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford, but said he would stand at the upcoming one-day tournament which also involves Australia.

Television pictures showed that up to four of the England batsmen were given out on no balls in the second Test, which Pakistan won by 108 runs after bowling England out on the last day of the match to level the two-match series 1-1.

"I accept the mistakes that I made on the final day of the Old Trafford Test," said Shepherd in statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

"I have always endeavoured to perform to the best of my ability in each game that I officiate in.

"I have learned from the experiences from earlier this week, and I look forward to continuing my umpiring tomorrow."

The triangular one-day tournament begins in Edgbaston, Birmingham on Thursday with a match between England and Pakistan.

The ECB, through their chief executive Tim Lamb, backed Shepherd.

"David Shepherd remains one of the finest umpires both in domestic and international cricket and I have personally re-iterated to David both my and ECB's full support for him," he said.

Mail Cricket Editor