Overuse of technology turning umpires useless: Dickie Bird
English umpiring great Dickie Bird fears excessive use of technology in international matches would soon reduce the role of umpires to mere passers-by standing in a match to count the number of balls and boundaries.
"Electronic aids have taken all the authority away from the umpire," said http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bird-c48123 while talking to media reporters. "The umpire that used to make all the decisions, like in my day, that umpire has finished I'm afraid. It is now run by electronic
aids."
An increased use of electronic devices was observed in the fifth and final Ashes Test between Australia and England in Sydney and this irked the 77-year-old former Test umpire from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yorkshire-c867.
England is leading the 2010-11 Ashes series by 2-1 and having already retained the urn, the tourists set an impressive lead of 364 runs in their first innings after http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 were bundled out for only 280 in their first innings.
England’s daunting first-innings total of 644 also featured Ian Bell’s maiden Ashes century which he struck after sustaining a caught behind appeal on 67. Bell nicked Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 to Brad Haddin behind the stumps and the umpire Aleem Dar
declared the batsman out. However, Bell opted for a review and the replays on big screen using ‘hot spot’ technology did not suggest any mark and the field umpire reversed his decision.
But an Australian sports channel, which was broadcasting the match live, used ‘snicko’ device which was not being officially used in the match and the device showed a slight edge.
The clash of decision of both umpires irritated the former umpire from England as he said that the technology is taking the authority away from the top officials of the game- umpires.
"The third umpire in the box gave it 'not out' but the correct decision was out and the umpire on the field had it right, so electronic aids have taken all the authority away from the umpire," Bird said.
Bird, who officiated in a then record of 66 Tests, believes that the only assistance that a field umpire could need from the third umpire is in case of a tight run out.
"I think there should only be one electronic aid used and that is for the close run-out because the close run-out is the most difficult decision. I would leave everything else to the umpire," he said.
Bird was also irritated by the inconsistent use Umpire Decision Review System in Test series and urged the International Cricket Council to take the responsibility of introducing a referral system in a series.
The ongoing Ashes series between England and Australia is using UDRS while a parallel series in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 does not have any UDRS because of Indian cricket board’s objection.
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