Extra security could be provided for English cricket umpire Nigel Llong when he officiates in the test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Dunedin next week.
Llong mistakenly gave Australian batsman Nathan Lyon not out when hot spot technology clearly showed he had hit the ball in the recent Adelaide test against the Black Caps.
New Zealand Cricket lodged a complaint with the sport's international governing body the ICC which found Llong had followed correct procedure but made an incorrect judgment, in what turned out to be the decisive moment in the match.
Llong is set to stand in the opening test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Dunedin next Thursday and New Zealand Cricket Operations manager expects he'll get a rough reception.
Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and umpire Nigel Llong during the recent test series in Australia. Photo: Photosport
"New Zealand sports fans are likely to give him a reasonably 'warm welcome'. We've got prior form for this sort of thing in rugby, so the ICC are aware of that and Nigel is aware of that himself but he knows he needs to get back on the horse and is likely to be greeted by New Zealand crowds which will add a little bit of spice to the ocassion," said Crocker.
Crocker says they aren't seeking any further sanction against Llong and don't expect him to be demoted.
"He made an error of judgement and they (the ICC) have admitted that, without throwing him under the bus, and we're comfortable with that."
He said any extra security would be low key but was hopeful there wouldn't be a need for it.
Crocker said its unfortunate the one decision seemingly had such a large impact on the game.
"You never know what might have unfolded...but in a low scoring game it meant it did put a higher focus on the decision and ended up being material. Whether (the result) would have panned out being any different if (Lyon) had been given out we'll never know."
"The ICC have done what we have asked them to do...it was a judgement error, we move on," said Crocker.
