Decision review system bringing improvement: ICC

DUBAI — The recently adopted Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) has brought significant improvement in overcoming umpiring errors in international matches and will be used more when it gets cheaper, an official said Wednesday.

The review system was introduced on a trial basis in June 2008, allowing players to challenge on-field umpires' decisions and refer them to the television official.

Teams are given two opportunities per innings to contest an on-field decision, losing a challenge for an unsuccessful review.

Cricket superpower India have been averse to the use of UDRS as the home boards have to pay for the necessary infra-structure supplied by the broadcasters, while some countries have not had access to certain technologies.

But International Cricket Council (ICC) General Manager Cricket David Richardson backed the UDRS and the use of technology.

"We think the UDRS has eased out pressure on the on-field umpires, nine out of ten teams are in favour of it" Richardson told reporters at ICC headquarters.

"In 23 Tests since October 2009, 84 possible on-field umpiring errors were recorded and 57 were corrected (by UDRS), which has lifted the correct decision percentage from 92.04 percent to 97.68 which is significant," said Richardson of the system, recently criticised by Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"I have mixed opinion on the UDRS," Dhoni said last week. "It is not something that gives cent per cent results. It is not always correct. It is like I have to buy a life jacket but it does not come with a warranty."

Richardson agreed India did not trust the UDRS.

"India feel they don't trust the accuracy of the technology and its also very expensive, but the ICC is always talking and trying to convince them of the use of technology," said Richardson, who played 42 Tests and 122 one-day matches for South Africa before joining the ICC.

"It is better to have a life vest than nothing."

Richardson agreed technology will not always be hundred percent.

"It is the safety net to prevent errors, and umpires will be safe rather than sorry (by the use of UDRS) and even we do not expect technology to provide conclusive answers in all the cases," said Richardson.

Richardson hoped with latest innovations, countries will use more technology in cricket.

"The technology use will go to frightening limits, the 3-D television and other innovations will come to effect and not using the technology will be a concern. I think it will be adopted more when it becomes less costly," said Richardson.

The UDRS will be used for the first time in the Ashes, beginning in Australia later this month, and also in next year's World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.