Ricky Ponting is furious over on-field umpires not spotting front-foot no-balls and has called it ‘an epidemic’ among umpires around the world.

The former Australian captain who is now a part of the commentary team in Australia’s Test series against New Zealand. He has slammed the umpires on air for not spotting plenty of no-balls. He has stated that it is a part of their job and there is no excuse for missing those extras.

“I am not having it for one minute that the umpires are not looking at it. (To say) they are looking at the strikers’ end only. That is not good enough. It is part of umpiring. It is part of what comes with the job,” Ponting said on-air.

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“It is no different than missing a wide or a leg bye. It is still an on-field decision that the umpires have to make,” he added.

The ongoing third Test between Australia and New Zealand is not the only international match affected by these errors right now. There are plenty more errors occurring in the other Test between South Africa and England. According to the broadcasters, as many as twelve front-foot no-balls were missed by the on-field umpires. 

“It is an epidemic around the world. I watched a lot of the Test last night (between South Africa and England) and it was embarrassing,” he said.

A trial was undergone by the ICC of the third umpire given the role of spotting these no-balls and instructing them to the on-field umpires.

(Inputs from Hindustan Times)