Salman voices doubts over DRS
NOTTINGHAM:
Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt has defended his side’s unconvincing use of the Decision Review System (DRS), claiming that the technology on offer was “not a hundred per cent” accurate.
The tourists found themselves amid a batting slump in the first Test against England where Azhar Ali was given out caught behind for 14 in one of five wickets for James Anderson.
However, some replays indicated that Ali had failed to make contact. Under the DRS, both sides are allowed two unsuccessful challenges before they are barred from requesting a referral for the remainder of an innings.
But, in order not to delay the game, they must make it clear within a matter of seconds of the umpire’s original verdict whether they wish to call on DRS.
It appeared from a distance the inexperienced Ali, in only his third Test, decided against a referral that might have gone in his favour after consulting Umar Akmal.
Butt, speaking after stumps on the second day, said that was not the case and questioned the accuracy of both the Hawk Eye ball-tracking system and the Hotspot device, akin to a thermal imaging camera, which is used to detect thin edges.
“This technology, Hawk Eye, is not 100 per cent and neither is Hotspot. When the ball hits the sticker on the side [edge of the bat] it doesn’t leave a mark,” claimed Butt before adding that he had been alerted to what he believed to be a deficiency in Hotspot during Pakistan’s 3-0 series loss in Australia earlier this year.
“In January we played Australia in Hobart and it happened to Michael Clarke twice. We heard a big noise and the Snicko showed there was noise as well when the ball crossed the bat but there was nothing on the Hotspot.”
“Every bat brand has a side-sticker (on the edge). It shows some time and sometimes not. That means it’s something to do with the stickers, maybe.”
The Snicko device, which tries to detect whether a batsman has edged the ball on the basis of sound waves, is not being used as a decision-making tool in this four-Test series because officials say it takes too long to provide a definitive conclusion.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2010.
Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt has defended his side’s unconvincing use of the Decision Review System (DRS), claiming that the technology on offer was “not a hundred per cent” accurate.
The tourists found themselves amid a batting slump in the first Test against England where Azhar Ali was given out caught behind for 14 in one of five wickets for James Anderson.
However, some replays indicated that Ali had failed to make contact. Under the DRS, both sides are allowed two unsuccessful challenges before they are barred from requesting a referral for the remainder of an innings.
But, in order not to delay the game, they must make it clear within a matter of seconds of the umpire’s original verdict whether they wish to call on DRS.
It appeared from a distance the inexperienced Ali, in only his third Test, decided against a referral that might have gone in his favour after consulting Umar Akmal.
Butt, speaking after stumps on the second day, said that was not the case and questioned the accuracy of both the Hawk Eye ball-tracking system and the Hotspot device, akin to a thermal imaging camera, which is used to detect thin edges.
“This technology, Hawk Eye, is not 100 per cent and neither is Hotspot. When the ball hits the sticker on the side [edge of the bat] it doesn’t leave a mark,” claimed Butt before adding that he had been alerted to what he believed to be a deficiency in Hotspot during Pakistan’s 3-0 series loss in Australia earlier this year.
“In January we played Australia in Hobart and it happened to Michael Clarke twice. We heard a big noise and the Snicko showed there was noise as well when the ball crossed the bat but there was nothing on the Hotspot.”
“Every bat brand has a side-sticker (on the edge). It shows some time and sometimes not. That means it’s something to do with the stickers, maybe.”
The Snicko device, which tries to detect whether a batsman has edged the ball on the basis of sound waves, is not being used as a decision-making tool in this four-Test series because officials say it takes too long to provide a definitive conclusion.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2010.