Grudges don't last long in international cricket, with New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum praising under-fire umpire Nigel Llong.
The Englishman was the third umpire for last month's third Test against Australia in Adelaide and the International Cricket Council has admitted he was wrong when he adjudged Nathan Lyon not out after a protracted technology review of an appeal.
Hotspot showed a mark on Lyon's bat before the ball was caught at slip but Llong didn't feel it was enough to warrant a conviction and Lyon stayed on to make a crucial contribution to New Zealand's defeat.
It followed questionable decisions in the first two Tests.
Llong, who had been slated for third umpire duties during the first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, starting in Dunedin on Thursday, has been moved out into the middle, where he will accompany Richard Kettleborough.
McCullum admitted the Lyon decision was frustrating for his team, who had been in a strong position to go on and win in Adelaide which would have squared the series.
However, when talking to reporters about it before the Dunedin match, McCullum was diplomacy personified.
"I am 100 per cent confident in Nigel Llong being involved in this series. I think he is a world-class umpire. He made a couple of mistakes and, whilst it was frustrating at the time, we have moved on from that.
"The good thing for Nigel is he is able to get back on the horse and get back out there.
"There's no hard feelings. Everyone in this game is just trying to do their best and you are going to make occasional mistakes and it doesn't change the fact they are good people and excellent umpires as well."
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