The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ICC chief to inspect umpire referral system

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 21, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Cricket

ICC chief to inspect umpire referral system

Colombo: ICC General Manager (cricket) Dave Richardson will be here next week to inspect the infrastructure that has been put in place for the umpire referral system which goes on trial during the India-Sri Lanka Test series.

The system will allow cricketers to challenge the umpire’s decision to obviate controversies and bring in greater transparency in the game. “We have 22 cameras installed for the first Test beginning on July 23 and the ICC chief will be taking a look at the infrastructure and the installation of large number of cameras ahead of the Test,” a top Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official said. The official said Richardson and other officials, including those from Sri Lanka, will be briefed by experts on how to use the system.

Sri Lankan wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara said the new system will help in improving decision making though the players will have to show responsibility while challenging any decision.

The on-field captain or the batsman (not the non-striker) will be entitled to appeal by making a ‘T’ sign with his arms.

“I am very supportive of the trial as I believe it will help improve decision-making and reduce incorrect decisions, especially in cases where a clear-cut mistake has been made,”

Sangakkara wrote in a column in the Sunday Times. “However, I also believe strongly that it has to be handled in the right manner and spirit with players showing responsibility,” he said. Under the new referral system to be tried out during Indo-Lanka series, each team will be permitted to seek review of three decisions of field umpires in each innings. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport