The Indian team has lost the first match to Sri Lanka and how. The team did not bat well, bowl well and field well, all simultaneously. This time, however, the Indian cricket fans have one more excuse to defend the team’s humiliating defeat.

The Indian team appeared to have no idea about putting the Umpire Referral System to practice. Indian team, much like the Pak team with the bowl-out in T20 cup last year, failed to use the system to their benefit. It was more out of hope than belief on the instances when they used it. The concept of the system has been in much debate since then.

The first test match between India and Sri Lanka has brought glaring flaws in the concept of the system. First, use of technology cannot eliminate umpiring errors. Second, there is nothing like a perfect decision and even the use of sophisticated technology cannot ensure it. Third, the system is limited by technology, set-up and infrastructure which implies that the system is as good as it is setup.

ICC, on its part, claims that it never introduced the system with very high expectations. The system is supposed to avoid only obvious and clear umpiring mistakes. After the first test, ICC now wants to inspect the infrastructure used to operationalize the system. In the context of the first test played between India and Sri Lanka, it is felt that some decisions could be better if taken solely by the on-field umpires. Experts feel that the decisions for Tilakratne Dilshan and Virender Sehwag revoked by the Umpire Referral System were incorrect.
 
Indian team’s discontentment with the system is understood. They lost Tendulkar and Dravid because of the system and on their part did not gain any wickets out of it. This system eliminates the scope of benefit of doubt given to the batsman.

The bowlers’ strike rates will shoot up while the batting averages are set to drop down. Most importantly, it robs the on-field umpires of their authority and the dignity of their decisions. The umpires’ role will be reduced to merely giving no-balls if the Umpire Referral System becomes a permanent feature of the game. With the escalating loss of spectator interest, this provision further slows the game and makes it boring.

The players ought to show responsibility while making appeals against the judgment. The Umpire Referral System needs more reviewing and research before being introduced as an integral part of the game.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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