UDRS system’s use in doubt for New Zealand-Pakistan series

WELLINGTON - New Zealand and Pakistan want to use the umpiring review system in their Test and ODI series, but might not be allowed to as the International Cricket Council is having discussions with technology providers, which want UDRS to be in place for all series rather than being used on a case-by-case basis.

The ICC is having discussions with Animation Research of Dunedin, who provide Virtual Eye, and British company Hawkeye.

The ICC needs sponsorship to cover the costs and India is the only test-playing nation opposed to the UDRS, which means less interest from potential sponsors because of the financial muscle of the Indian market.

Senior Indian players, notably star batsman Sachin Tendulkar and captain MS Dhoni, are implacably opposed to it, 5the New Zealand Herald reports.

The system allows teams to appeal against an umpiring decision. Once they have had two appeals rejected, they lose the right to make any more in that innings.

It was initially intended to correct the howling bad decisions by umpires, but instead teams have tended to take a punt on it for 50-50 calls, which defeats the purpose for which it was introduced.

The ICC has confirmed the UDRS will be used at the February-March World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. So far, it has only been used in test cricket but the door is slowly opening.

“We are very keen for it to be in place. And we’ve got the ability to use it in the ODI series,” NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said.

The first test starts in Hamilton on January 7, but Vaughan believes NZC would need an answer some time next week.

“It would be disappointing [if the UDRS was ruled out] particularly with New Zealand technology that we couldn’t use in New Zealand,” he said. (ANI)