Funding Row Hits Referral System

The controversial umpire referral system has run into further trouble after it emerged that the international cricket boards are in a stand-off over funding for an updated version of the system.

An updated version of the TV referral system which was trialled during England’s Test tour of the West Indies had been approved for use in all Tests.

It was set to be available to India and Sri Lanka in their current Test series but it is believed a stand-off has now emerged between cricket’s stakeholders over who will fund the equipment a decision that means the system will not be in place for England’s Test series in South Africa.

While the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) were always against the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was initially in favour of the review system.

However the Indian board has reportedly changed its mind after their players raised concerns and Cricket South Africa is likely to follow suit.

The International Cricket Council announced in June that, following trials at domestic and international level, the UDRS would come into use from October.

Under the updated rules, each side would be allowed two unsuccessful challenges per innings in a system similar to that used in American football and tennis.

ECB chairman Giles Clarke stated: ‘We weren’t keen on the referral system so we voted against it.

‘We lost the ICC vote, comprehensively, but we run a democratic world in cricket so we accepted the decision.

‘Then the question came of who is going to pay for it. We’re not going to. Cricket South Africa don’t want to pay and I quite understand why.

‘It seems the broadcaster does not want to pay. I don’t think the ICC is going to step in but I may be wrong. If no one’s going to pay, you can’t use it.’

The UDRS was designed to let players request that umpire’s decisions are reviewed by a third official using TV pictures.

Either the dismissed batsman or the fielding captain can call for a review by making a “T” symbol with his forearms.