Chaotic tour amidst technical novelty

Technology will take a big step forward in world cricket when the first match of the tri-series would have no balls called by third umpire.

Technology will take a giant step forward in the world of cricket when the opening match of the tri-series between India and Pakistan would have no balls called by the third and not the on-field umpires.

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In an experimental rule introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the third umpire will make a ruling on the no balls and convey his decision to umpires standing in the middle through two-way radio system.

It is yet another attempt by the game's authorities to minimise mistakes even though a batsman standing at the crease almost surely would not be able to take advantage of it.

Steve Bucknor and David Shepherd, the two longest-serving umpires in the game, are also unlikely to be amused at yet another bastion of their profession being taken away from them.

This ruling alone is not the issue which could make this tri-series at best a chaotic affair for umpires and batsmen alike.

The organisers have made a request to the airport authorities to rework the route of aircrafts flying overhead as Schipol, the international airport, situated nearby.

Aircrafts cross the ground so low that one can actually read the names of the airlines and organisers fear a snick by the batsmen would be completely lost to the umpire.

The reverberation from the passing-by aircraft is also powerful enough to disturb a batsman's concentration.