Umpire decision review system set for Sri Lanka v India series

ICC acting Chief Executive Officer David Richardson said on Tuesday the decision to trial the umpire decision review system in this year's Sri Lanka v India Test series is an attempt by the ICC to enhance still further the game at international level.

According to ICC media release, the system will see the fielding and batting side allowed three unsuccessful appeals to the umpire per innings to change a decision if it is perceived to have been incorrect.

These appeals can be made only by the batsman in receipt of the umpire's original decision or the captain of the fielding side, in both cases by the player making a "T" sign with both forearms at shoulder height.

The on-field umpire will consult with the third umpire, who will review available television coverage of the incident before relaying fact-based information back to his colleague.

The on-field umpire will then deliver his decision either by raising his finger to indicate "out" or by crossing his hands in a horizontal position side to side in front and above his waist three times - as per a "safe" decision by an official in baseball.

Commenting on the decision to adopt the review system, Richardson, a former Test and ODI player for South Africa said, "The ICC is extremely grateful to both Sri Lanka and India for agreeing to take part in this trial.

"Our Emirates Elite and International Panel umpires already ensure the vast majority of decisions made in any Test or ODI are correct but we want to see if we can enhance the game further by reducing or removing the few clearly incorrect ones.

"The fact that each side is allowed only three unsuccessful requests to review in each innings should mean that players will not make frivolous challenges and, instead, only seek a referral to decisions that, it is quickly clear, are highly likely to be incorrect.

"By seeking to reduce these potentially contentious decisions we believe we can help remove a source of tension and frustration among players and spectators as well as any resultant pressure on umpires.

"At the same time we have sought to ensure the continued primacy of the on-field umpire. The man on the field's role is to consult with his colleague, not to refer the decision away, and he still decides whether or not to change his original decision.

"Once the series is over we will conduct a thorough review of the process before deciding whether the trial was successful and worth persevering with."

Duleep Mendis, a former international captain and Chief Executive Officer of host for the trial Sri Lanka Cricket, welcomed the initiative.

"I think this is a very good idea," he said. "As a past player we used to say that good and bad decisions would even themselves out but times have changed, the stakes are much higher now for all concerned and if the technology is available then why not use it?

"It may be new to the players but I am sure they will be very positive. There are always going to be question marks when a new thing is trialed but no one likes to see anyone get an incorrect decision and if this can help reduce that then why not give it a try?"

Slow-motion replays, the wicket-to-wicket "mat", sound from stump microphones and ball-tracking technology up to the point of impact on the pad will be available for use by the television umpire.

Snick-detecting devices and "hot-spot" technology will not be used in this trial.

The decision to proceed with the trial at international level follows a recommendation by the ICC Chief Executives' Committee in its February meeting in Kuala Lumpur and subsequent adoption of that recommendation by the ICC Board during its March meeting in Dubai.

Detailed playing conditions explaining the process for players and officials involved in the review system will be released in due course.

The three-Test series between Sri Lanka and India begins with the first Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo starting on 23 July. The second Test in Galle begins on 31 July and the third and final match of the series takes place at the R Premadasa Stadium, also in Colombo, from 8 August.