Icc Approves Video Referrals System
The International Cricket Council has approved the controversial use of video referrals to challenge umpire’s decisions across all international matches.
However the new system will not be in force for the Ashes between England and Australia taking place this summer.
Having been given a trial in four Test series, the review system will come into permanent effect in October.
On day one of a four-day conference the ICC admitted concerns about undermining umpire authority but thought the positives outweighed the negatives.
The controversial review system lets players request that umpire’s decisions are reviewed by a third official using TV pictures.
It was tested in England’s series in the West Indies but after widespread criticism from players and commentators, the ICC decided to make changes, planning to give umpires more training and fine tune the technology.
The decision to permanently implement the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) in a ‘phased roll-out’ from October was made earlier this year by the ICC’s cricket committee, chaired by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd.
Another revolutionary proposal that may also come to light is that of day/night Test matches, which the ICC revealed it would examine further.
Trials are continuing to determine the colour of the ball to be used, with the traditional red one deemed unsuitable for artificial light.
