Umpires Erasmus, Dar not to be replaced for Ashes despite 'bungled' Broad, Trott decisions

Match officials Marais Erasmus and Aleem Dar will not be forced to step down from umpiring the Ashes series despite their bungling of the decisions over England's Stuart Broad and Jonathan Trott, which overshadowed the Ashes opener.

According to the Daily Express, England made representations to the International Cricket Council (ICC) after Trott was given out LBW on review in England's first innings by third umpire Erasmus, who contentiously overruled the not out verdict of on-field umpire Dar despite the unavailability of Hot Spot technology.

The report further said that Australia was angered when Dar missed a clear edge from that was caught at slip via a deflection off wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

However, the ICC has allowed both Erasmus and Dar to continue to officiate the series, despite Broad declining to walk, as the Australians were unable to refer to it, having used up all their reviews.

However, the report said that Asad Rauf and Billy Bowden have been demoted from the ICC's elite umpiring panel, and eight of the 12 top-tier officials are ineligible because they are English or Australian.