Umpiring & Referral System: How Far is the System Effective?

With the advent of latest technology umpiring in Cricket has indeed moved to the next level. There was time when the Umpire in the field had to take the hard decisions of certain situations like run out, catch out, no ball, lbw and others. But now in critical cases, the umpire in the field can make a gesture to the third umpire sitting with all the latest gadgets, technological and graphical improvements to make provide a decision in such matters. This is called Umpiring referral system. In this system the two umpires in the field can seek the help of third umpire in crucial situations. Off late the players too have been given the power to question or request an umpire to review a decision if he or she feels that it is wrong. But there have been lots of questions to this Umpiring & referral system.

There have been many instances when players didn’t find the umpire referral system full proof. Veteran batsman and legend Sachin Tendulkar didn’t find the system a full-proof system when he had encountered several areas where the system failed to give right decisions or has not been utilized to the level. But Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive had different views. He said that this system had indeed improved the game and had helped making correct decision in crucial situations.

The main idea behind the umpiring & referral system is to provide adequate help to the umpires to take correct decisions and at the same time bring in more authentications to the game. According to ICC officials the correct decision percentage has been more than 90% with the introduction of this system. But with increasing questions and doubts by players like Vetori, Tendulkar, Sri Lankan players and other prominent figures, the ICC’s Cricket Committee would be taking further decisions on the subject in May when it would meet and set onward proposal to Executive Board in the month of June 2009.

The future of the umpiring referral system is still hanging and the discussion will take place when a group of experts and leading administrators will gather here Lords to take a better decision and make it more practical for correct decisions by umpires. The future of such controversial referral system will now be up for discussion and the two day’s meet of the ICC Cricket Committee will have a major say in the issue. They would look forward to adopt the system permanently in International matches and trails would be conducted in the four day test series in the coming months.

The system also gave players the opportunity to request a review by the third umpire on a decision taken by the on field umpire/umpires if the player believes that the decision is wrong. This is the first time that in occurred in the history of cricket where players are allowed to challenge a decision. On a player’s referral the third umpire would provide information back to the umpire on the field only to be decided by him whether or not to reverse his decision. In most cases the umpires were unable to go against the decision or advice given by third umpire. Everything will be clear about this referral system once the decision are taken by the committee and the rules would come into force from June.

Summary: There have been many instances when players didn’t find the umpire referral system full proof. Veteran batsman and legend Sachin Tendulkar didn’t find the system a full-proof system when he had encountered several areas where the system failed to give right decisions or has not been utilized to the level. But the ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat had different views.