Disconsolate Victorian captain Paul Reiffel has conceded that the use of third umpires for the adjudication of catches in state cricket has become a concern after an incident-packed closing day of the Pura Cup Final against Queensland here in Brisbane today.

"We've only got two or three camera angles here for C7 (a pay TV service provider in Australia) … they haven't got many cameras and every time a decision goes to the third umpire, he's got very limited footage to look at," said a downcast Reiffel.

Reiffel's frustration stemmed from a moment of high drama twenty-five minutes into the final day when rival captain Stuart Law survived what initially appeared to have been a freakish one-handed catch from youngster Michael Klinger low to his right at a wide third slip position. Law, who would have been dismissed for a king pair if television replays of the catch had not proven inconclusive, continued on to play an unbeaten innings of 47 and lead the Bulls to a tense four wicket win.

"Every time it does go to the third umpire, you tend to feel it is going to go the batsman's way. Today, it was very disappointing."

"It was a clear catch to us."

Law defended on-field umpires Simon Taufel and Steve Davis and third umpire Peter Parker for their handling of the matter but also voiced a hint of worry about the increasing use of video-based decisions.

"For catches, it may have to be looked at. There's two ways that (cricket administrators) can go with it: they can get rid of the umpires out there completely and just leave it all to video replays. Or they can still have the concept of some human error. Umpires are only human and they're out there doing the best job that they can do and all the players realise that."

"It's up to the ICC and the cricket Boards to nut out."

"When it hit Klinger's hand, it just didn't look right going in," was Law's own view of the merits or otherwise of the catch.

"I had every right to stand there and wait for the umpires to make their decision (today)."

A verdict in the Victorians' favour would have left the Bulls at the nerve-jangling score of 4/139 as they pursued a total of 224 to win.

But Law stood his ground and ultimately had no reason to leave after four largely blurred replays ensured that Umpire Parker could not satisfy himself of the legitimacy of Klinger's catch.

From his position at the bowling crease at the time, Reiffel could not conceal his anger at the verdict and vented his fury at both Taufel and Davis. After Match Referee Peter Burge's later intervention, it ensured that the Victorian skipper found himself a sum of $200 lighter in his pocket by the end of the day.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd