The Hindu : Sport : DRS makes umpires look foolish: Buchanan

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DRS makes umpires look foolish: Buchanan

Melbourne: In a stinging criticism of the ICC’s Decision Review System, former Australian cricket coach John Buchanan said the innovation makes umpires “look foolish”, is against the spirit of the game and adds to the tension between on-field officials and players.

“This system is making people look foolish. It was supposed to reduce tension between umpires and players but it has not done that at all,” Buchanan was quoted as saying by ‘The Herald Sun’.

“In fact, it almost seems to have increased tension,” he said.

Buchanan said the system undermines the umpires’ authority.

“I still don’t like the way young kids will see senior players challenging authority and think that it should be part and parcel of cricket.

“It is fundamental to the spirit of the game that the umpire’s decision should be final. One of the reasons I don’t like it is that it challenges one of the basic principles of society _ you don’t challenge the law,” he said.

Buchanan said since the host broadcaster bears some of the cost of installing the technology required to use the system, DRS can also lead to a conflict of interest.

“I was surprised when I heard that the host broadcaster is being asked to share or pay all of the costs in getting the system up and running,” he said.

“You should never have your host broadcaster in charge of your decision-making process. What a conflict of interests that is,” Buchanan pointed out. _ PTI

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