ICC annual conference: DRS recommended to be made mandatory

Executive Board to mull over approving technology for all Tests, ODIs today.

KARACHI:

After days of debate and speculation, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive’s Committee (CEC) has agreed to make a modified version of the Decision Review System (DRS) mandatory in all Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODI) and will be brought up for approval today.

The decision was among the key recommendations made during the ICC annual conference, being held in Hong Kong, and will be finalised after the Executive Board meeting.

Among the other recommendations was the abolition of the runner’s rule and the usage of two new balls in ODI while a change in the usage of Powerplays was also discussed.

The Associate Members were also given hope after it was recommended that a qualification process for the 2015 World Cup be held.

Modified DRS version

The implementation of the DRS in all Tests and ODIs, which became a thorny issue following India’s continuous objection to the technology, has unanimously received the thumbs-up from the CEC. However, modifications have been made to the system, which will now consist of infra-red cameras and audio tracking devices. The ball-tracker that was used to review leg-before decisions has now been made optional, subject to consent of both teams.

The CEC has also forwarded the ICC Cricket Committee’s recommendation to reduce the number of unsuccessful reviews in ODIs from two to one.

‘Decision to de-value field umpires’

Meanwhile, the development on the DRS is a setback for field umpires, according to experienced Pakistan umpire Nadeem Ghouri.

“It’s good for the game and the teams,” Ghouri told The Express Tribune. “One mistake by the umpire can turn a match around and this would help in avoiding such a situation,” added Ghouri, who is on the ICC Panel of International Umpires.

“However, with the permanent use of DRS, the value of on-field umpires will go down. The development is a setback for umpires who will be under a lot of pressure.”

Ghouri, also a former Test cricketer, said the modified DRS version will help in minimising and reducing errors.

“Hot Spot technology is very helpful and the audio tracking devices are a good addition.”

End to runner’s rule

Meanwhile, the CEC also supported the ICC Cricket Committee’s recommendation of disallowing a runner for injured batsmen in any format of the game.

If approved by the Executive Board, the rule would be scrapped from international cricket with affect from October 1.

Other topics

The idea on the use of two new balls from each end was also backed to address the solution of poor sighting as the innings progresses.

The change in rule of Powerplays also got the green signal by the CEC, according to which the batting and bowling teams will use the option during the 16th and 40th over.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2011.