Rudi Koertzen favours UDRS in Test matches
Rudi Koertzen, the recently retired umpire has also called for the UDRS (umpire decision review system) to be included in every Test series. Rudi’s last Test series that he officiated as umpire was http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 test series that concluded last week with a 1-1 series draw.
One of the major problems that the umpires are facing today is handling the pressure that the constant replays put on them by showing the most minuscule error in their decisions. The advanced technologies like ‘Hot Spot’ and “HawkEye” can abet the decision making process of an umpire. With various home boards eager to introduce UDRS in the international cricket, some of the cricketing boards have stick to the point that decision review system will be of no use.
Koertzen - who has umpired maximum number of Test matches besides Steve Bucknor - retired last week after umpiring the final game of the two-match test series between Australia and Pakistan. The series that was staged at the neutral venues of England did not feature the decision review system. However, the South African umpire wants UDRS to be part of every test series and believes that a Test match without decision reviews adds extra pressure on the umpires.
Despite retiring from the international cricket as an umpire, Koertzen will still remain attached with the game as the performance manager of the new Regional Umpires of ICC for the African region. As performance manager, Rudi will be working as mentor of the young ICC umpires coming through the ranks.
Talking to a sports agency Koertzen said that UDRS should be included in every single Test series. He said that having UDRS in some series and playing others without review system will be of no use, instead it will make umpiring even harder for the young guys.
Though Koertzen along with Ian http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Captain-Gould-c41006 had a pretty successful series in England, still there were occasions when the umpires’ decision could have been overturned if the players had been given the right of decision review. Koertzen said that standing in the middle of the ground, without any access to the TV - while the world is watching the slow-motions and the same replays, being constantly shown on the big screens in the ground – is no doubt a difficult task.
Koertzen said that the umpire standing in the middle of the venue thinks that he has made a good decision, while millions of people can see the minuscule error in that decision. He further added that the umpire can never clear his petite doubts about a decision until and unless he walks off the field and has a discussion with the match referee and the third umpire. Koertzen said that the scoffs from upstairs, after watching the slow-motion replays on big screen - make the umpire think that he might have gone wrong while judging the scenario and that puts undue pressure on him.
The International Cricket Council is keen to introduce the review system in every Test. The on-going Test series between England and Pakistan is featuring the UDRS. The umpire’s decision of accepting http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314’s lbw appeal was over turned when the Jonathan Trott making a “T” requested the third umpire for a review. The Hot Spot made it clear that it was a bat to pad, subsequently the decision was overturned.
The umpires have been given the power to ask the third umpire for replays on line-calls if they are not sure about it – such as run outs or catches low to the ground. The UDRS will not hand the powers to the umpire standing in the middle of the ground rather it will be a player’s right to have the umpire’s re-examined before two review appeals get overturned by the third umpire.
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