Bring the DRS into women’s cricket
ALYSSA Healy has backed the introduction of DRS for the women’s Ashes series, saying it should be available in every Test match to take the “howler” out of the equation.
Australia heads into the final day of its pink-ball Test against India on the Gold Coast on Sunday at 4-143, still 84 runs short of the follow-on after India declared its innings closed at 8-377.
Healy will watch on from the team dugout, at least initially, after being dismissed by Indian pace ace Jhulan Goswami.
Captain Meg Lanning will to, after she was adjudged lbw to Pooja Vastrakar by umpire Claire Polosak despite getting a meaty inside edge on the ball. While Australia’s multi-format series against India was initially planned for venues around the country, including a Test at the WACA, in Perth, it is being played entirely in Queensland due to ongoing Covid restrictions.
The Test match shift to the Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium has made the use of DRS impossible for the day-night clash but Healy said she would back the use of the system as a general rule.
“I’d definitely love to see it, I wouldn’t say no DRS if it’s available and I’m sure Cricket Australia would have it in place,” she said.
“Obviously there were a few logistical nightmares to be able to have it here with the venue shift but I’d love to see it in every Test match.
“I think it makes it nice and fair and even.”
India also had cause to complain about umpiring decisions on Saturday, with Deepti Sharma (66) marched after being given lbw to debutante Stella Campbell despite replays showing the ball had pitched outside leg stump.
Australia is scheduled to play England in a multi-format series in January and February, with the Ashes Test set for January 27-30 in Canberra.