Dickie Bird says UDRS ‘belittling’ umpires, holding the game up
By ANIThursday, January 6, 2011
LONDON - Former cricket umpire Dickie Bird reckons that the increased use of technology in international cricket will turn umpires into mere bystanders.
“Electronic aids have taken all the authority away from the umpire. It’s belittling the umpire and holding the game up,” Sky Sports quoted Bird, as saying.
“The umpire that used to make all the decisions, like in my day, that umpire has finished I’m afraid. It is now run by electronic aids,” he added.
The 77-year-old said that television replay assistance should only be used for deciding on a tight run-out.
“I think there should only be one electronic aid used and that is for the close run-out because the close run-out is the most difficult decision,” Bird said.
“I would leave everything else to the umpire,” he added.
Bird further pointed to the inconsistency of using the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) in the Ashes series, but not in the ongoing India-South Africa Test series because of team India’s objections.
He urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take charge of the situation. (ANI)
