Cricket takes new look at TV replays

CRICKET’S governing body has furthered the process of improving the much-debated decision review system (DRS) by providing direct replays to a non- match umpire, a trial also experimented earlier this year.

To improve umpiring decisions in international matches, the ICC introduced DRS in 2008 on a trial basis.

The system allows both teams to challenge decisions made by on-field umpires, and have them referred to the TV official.

Initially each team was allowed three unsuccessful challenges per innings in a Test – later reduced to two. One appeal is allowed in oneday internationals.

The ICC earlier this year approved that, after 80 overs in a Test innings, the reviews will be reset to two per team.

In a trial conducted during the fifth and final oneday game between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi yesterday, various camera inputs were taken from the broadcast, and were viewed by a non-match umpire on a system completely independent of the TV coverage, and independent of the game.

The system was trialled earlier this year between Australia and England.

England’s Richard Kettleborough, not officiating the match, used direct pictures of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match which allowed him to use various angles and judge in a better way as compared to the existing system in which replays are provided by the broadcasters.

The new system, called the officiating review system (ORS), is in line with the ICC Board’s decisions to improve the DRS system to make faster and more accurate decisions.

The ICC said the trial was always planned for the Ashes Test and had nothing to do with the criticism of the DRS during the series.

The officiating review system will also be trialled this week in the Abu Dhabi Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka before a final decision on its implementation is taken. – Sapa-AFP