Veteran cricket umpire VK Ramaswamy on Wednesday blamed the media for distorting the image of the sub-continent's umpires at the international level.

"It is wrong to assume that there was something lacking in the sub- continent umpires. They are among the best in the world," he told the local Daily 'The News' in an interview in Islamabad.

Blaming the media for playing spoilsport, he said the umpires in the sub-continent supervised matches under the most demanding conditions. They make an all out effort to give their best under these tiring conditions, he said adding that no umpire willingly made a mistake as it affected his future.

Ramaswamy who has officiated 26 Test matches is in Pakistan to conduct the advance course for umpiring being organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Ramaswamy, who made his debut in 1984 also blamed the respective boards for not properly backing the umpires. "It is the duty of the boards to fight for the cause of their umpires at international level," he said.

He was of the view that the concept of the third umpire has in no way diminished the importance of the umpires on the field. He also rejected the idea that the third umpire should be called to decide on the appeals relating to bat and pad catches. "If you cannot give a batsman out if you have any doubt and the benefit of the doubt should go in his favour, that's the beauty of the game," he said.

Referring to the demands of uniform payments for the umpires all over the world, he hoped that the ICC would soon decide on the issue.

© PTI