Reiffel’s post-playing career path differs from former team-mates’ like com-box star Shane Warne. Reiffel’s post-playing career path differs from former team-mates’ like com-box star Shane Warne. Images: Getty Images

Regarding this technology, what’s the ideal model? Should Hawkeye be used? How many challenges should a team have?

I don’t think anyone knows the answers to that. Personally I don’t like the fact that players can challenge an umpire; I think that’s against the spirit of the game, the way we’ve been brought up to accept the umpire’s decision. I’d like to think the technology could help the umpires, that they could use it without the players challenging them. And Hawkeye? Look, it has an error rate – ask the guys who built it and they’ll tell you there’s an error rate on it. But if everyone accepts Hawkeye, if everyone’s happy with its rulings, we might as well go with it.

What’s it like umpiring blokes you’ve played with?

It’s pretty easy, actually. I was a bit worried when I first started, thinking, ‘Gee, how am I going to go giving out guys who are mates?’ But it’s pretty easy. These are guys I’ve roomed with and toured with, so I know them intimately … At the end of the day it’s easier because they know you and so they accept what you do out there. They have a respect for you straight away; there’s an instant relationship. You know, umpiring is a lot about match management and player management, and that’s easier when you already know them.

It’s seemed over the past few decades that Victorian cricketers have been very much under-represented in the Australian team. Why’s that?

I don’t know – the state team has been pretty strong over the past few years. The AFL takes a lot of the young kids who would progress, there’s no doubt about that. The majority of the AFL draft comes out of Victoria and if you’re a 17-year-old student and the AFL comes knocking, then it’s an instant decision for them. They’re on good money and away they go. But I’m sure with the IPL and the money young players can earn at the state level now, there will be a lot of young kids who’ll roll the dice and decide to stay with cricket. Certainly the money that some of the state players are earning now is quite big, so it might be enticing.

– Aaron Scott