The International Cricket Council’s general manager, Dave Richardson, will be in Colombo next week to inspect the infrastructure that has been put in place to operationalise the umpire referral system which goes on trial during the India-Sri Lanka Test series.
The system will allow cricketers to challenge the umpire's decision to obviate controversies and bring in greater transparency in the game.
“We have 22 cameras installed for the first Test match beginning July 23 and the ICC chief will be taking a look at the infrastructure and the installation of a large number of cameras ahead of the Test,” a top Sri Lanka Cricket official said.
The official said Richardson and other officials, including those from Sri Lanka, will be briefed by experts on how to use the system.
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara said that the new system will help in improving decision making though the players will have to show responsibility while challenging any decision.
“This series will mark an important change in world cricket with the commencement of a referrals trial in which teams will be entitled to up to three unsuccessful referrals per innings,” Sangakkara said.
The on-field captain or the batsman (not the non-striker) will be entitled to appeal by making a ‘T’ sign with his arms.
{{/usCountry}}The on-field captain or the batsman (not the non-striker) will be entitled to appeal by making a ‘T’ sign with his arms.
{{/usCountry}}“I am very supportive of the trial as I believe it will help improve decision-making and reduce incorrect decisions, especially in cases where a clear-cut mistake has been made,” Sangakkara wrote in a column in the Sunday Times. “However, I also believe strongly that it has to be handled in the right manner and spirit with players showing responsibility,” he said.
Under the new referral system, each team will be permitted to seek review of three decisions of field umpires in each innings and video replays will be used to decide on these appeals.