Do benefit of using UDRS outweighs its disadvantages?
The Umpire Decision Review System had always remained embroiled in controversies, right from the time the International Cricket Council put forward the thoughts of implementing it during international matches. It was a system introduced by the ICC to minimise umpire errors and allowed the batting and the fielding side to challenge two of the umpire's decisions every innings.
Only brought in after huge debates
Though every Test playing cricket team has suffered from poor umpiring decisions, it was always debated in cricketing circles, whether UDRS would actually benefit the game as a whole. The decision review system was always seen as a new move, a move, which could change the face of the game.
No one knew how the system would help cricket; will it make the role of the umpires redundant, or perhaps, make them more vulnerable?
Fans and cricketers anticipated the arrival of UDRS with a bated breath.
There was also a lot of benefit, which the review system was expected to bring about. Before it was used by the various boards for Test matches, the ICC had decided to have the system tested by using it on a trial basis.
More controversy brought in
India played against Sri Lanka in the year 2008, with the UDRS in place. Contrary to expectations, the system fuelled more controversies, and both teams were not quite satisfied with how the system functioned. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, were vociferous in their opposition to the system, it was felt, that the system was not completely foolproof.
It had its own share of problems but most of them stem from the fact that the system is very costly to implement. Still, UDRS did bring obvious benefits to the table, which impressed officials and cricketing brains.
Even though the review system did create an uproar in the trial period, it did help umpires to be more liberal with their decision-making as well.
One of the popular umpires from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, Billy Bowden, was quick to accept the advantage when the review system actually brought in. He was fortunate to umpire in a test match where UDRS system was put in place on a trial basis. According to him, he felt more confident, and was able to deliver more correct decisions. He always felt in his hindsight that UDRS won’t distract him from making decisions and that he would be fair.
Apart from getting rid of poor umpiring decisions, the other big advantage associated with the use of the system is the easing of pressure on the umpires. In an era, where every bad decision is scrutinized to the hilt, and not a single bad decision is left without a dig by the media, the review system helped umpires to be more at ease.
It also made them more confident. It was widely seen that the decision review system made the playing environment better. The players behaved more responsibly; the on field outbursts were reduced.
Still not without issues
On the other hand, the review system was never free of issues.
One primary reason, why some countries were reluctant to use the technology is the cost associated with the technology.
The question that begs to be asked is who will foot the bill for it, is it the board, the broadcaster or the ICC?
The ICC has played the part in announcing the implementation of UDRS, and yet, some boards have failed to solve the issues of financial aspect of the review system. BCCI is one of them, and they have rejected the use of the UDRS because the official broadcaster for all the games in the country, Neo Sports, has refused to take the costs associated with the UDRS, onboard.
It was exactly the reason, why the present India-Sri Lanka Test series had been devoid of the decision review system.
The UDRS certainly would enhance the reputation of the game, and it has showed glimpses of cricket matches becoming fairer. The ICC needs to settle the board’s financial inhibitions.
The cricket boards should remember that technologies do come with a price, but it will make the sport a better spectacle for the audiences. One does not want a repeat of the Germany-England Soccer World Cup 2010 game in cricket, where the lack of technology becomes responsible for a tournament-changing moment. With the World Cup coming up in 2011, the ICC will also get a chance to show that it is a sports leader in fair review technology, and it will give them a chance to expand the use worldwide.
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