TV decisions tarnishing Sydney Test outcome

SYDNEY - England opener Alastair Cook says players risked having egg on their face if they were foolish enough to bluff technology after two controversial decisions marred another day of dominance by England at the SCG yesterday.

But a large contingent of the 40,000-strong crowd disagreed with Cook, giving Ian Bell more jeers than cheers as he walked off the field after completing his maiden Ashes Test century, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

While Phillip Hughes last night digested allegations from Ian Botham that he was a cheat for claiming a catch off Cook, Bell was also under fire after using video technology to challenge a caught behind decision by umpire Aleem Dar.

Yesterday’s scenario has sparked fears players would challenge faint edges when given out in the hope of being saved by inconclusive video evidence, suggestions denied by Cook and Australia’s captain Michael Clarke.

Cook said technology was too good for players to bluff the system.

He said: “I don’t think any players are trying to bluff technology, you could end up with egg on your face quite quickly.”

Australian captain Michael Clarke denied Bell was a cheat, saying batsmen did not always know if they had edged the ball.

Clarke said he was a fan of technology even though it did not have a 100 per cent success rate. He said he remained an advocate of umpire decision reviews, but urged the ICC to make the system mandatory for all series, bypassing the roadblock of Indian opposition to it.

Cook was content with the DRS, saying it would be unwise not to use technology if it was available. (ANI)