ICC to clear India’s doubts over ‘flawed’ umpire decision review system

SYDNEY - The International Cricket Council has proposed to clear India’s and other subcontinent teams’ concerns over the umpire decision review system (UDRS) and its cost, so that it can be made mandatory.

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar is one of the formidable opponents of the UDRS as he considers the technology not to be 100 percent accurate, and had publicly said that the system is too flawed to be in universal operation.

Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke put forward a suggestion to visit Australia this summer to see the use of UDRS during the Ashes series in order to placate India’s reservations about the system.

“I have agreed with CA to attend the Ashes matches between Australia and England with representatives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). To understand the successful application of the technology and its contribution to correct umpiring decisions,” said ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat.

The delegation is likely to visit Australia for the first Test in Brisbane or the second in Adelaide, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

A payment structure for the system has also been proposed, with the ICC to seek a central corporate sponsor who would accept the cost of the technology required to implement decision reviews in all Test matches.

“The ICC Executive Board agreed to explore sponsorship for the DRS. The revenues generated from this will be distributed among those Members who have pooled their rights, after costs have been deducted. Members who do not pool their rights will be free to exploit such rights themselves,” an ICC spokesman said.

Australian host broadcasters Channel Nine is in discussion with the ICC about the sponsorship model. (ANI)