Cricket News: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 wants improved performance from Umpires
Indian cricket captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni wants international umpires, especially the ones part of the elite panel of the International Cricket Council (ICC), to pull their weight and constantly work on
improving their skills to make the game fairer and bereft of umpiring blunders.
Dhoni, who has not been keen on using the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) in Test cricket after failing to grasp it properly during his team’s Test series against Sri Lanka two years ago, believes that
top-class umpires need to deliver better results and make correct calls in the middle.
"It is not something that gives cent per cent results, It is not always correct. If I am going to buy a life jacket which does not come with a warranty, that's a bit of a hassle for me especially with the
huge amount of money you have to spend for the DRS system coming into the game," he said.
During that series, the Indians made a mess of the system and only one of their referrals went in their favour, and since then despite calls from other teams, the system has not been used in any other series
involving the number one ranked Test team.
Most of the other teams are keen on a wider adoption of the system and want it to be introduced in ODI and Twenty20 cricket also, yet Dhoni insists that the system ought to be rid of any chance of errors
first.
In the meantime, the swashbuckling batsman feels the responsibility of a correct decision should stay with the on-field umpires who should be seeking to improve their performance regularly.
"There are two gentlemen standing on the ground as umpires. They are professionals and paid to do their job. They have got support from the TV umpire. So it is surprising to see them making some of the mistakes.
They have to step up and perform. I would prefer some kind of warranty behind it. (The) moment it comes, I am all for it. For now, they have to improve on the technology."
Most of his team members have agreed with his assessment of the system and they include two of the leading batsmen in the game, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.
However, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virender-Sehwag-c95429 has advocated for the use of the technology in all international series leading up to the 50 overs World Cup next year.
While India has declined to use the system, other leading Test teams like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 have had a better experience with the technology and have been advocating
of its adoption across all formats of the game.
A classic example is the ongoing ODI series between Pakistan and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in UAE, where the first three matches of what has been an absorbing series were marked by umpiring howlers.
In the third match, even technology was not properly used by third umpire http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AB-de-Villiers-c887 when the evidence was inconclusive against the stumping appeal made
by wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider.
As per the ICC regulations, each team is allowed to use the UDRS system twice in each innings of a Test match; in case of a correct call, the referral is not wasted and can be used again, while if an incorrect
call is made, the referral is lost.
Both batting and fielding teams are allowed to use the UDRS. The ICC is working on improving the system and getting rid of the inadequacies so that the technology is used in all formats of the game as soon
as possible.
Tags: