Kiwis to use referral system in Pak Tests
Posted on Nov 18, 2009 at 20:25 | Updated Nov 19, 2009 at 13:25
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Ahmedabad: Just as it appeared that it would be rejected outright, the umpire referrals system has received an unexpected boost with New Zealand Cricket confirming that the system will be used in the Test series against Pakistan.
But the ICC still faces a hard battle to convince cynical boards such as India and South Africa to come on board.
New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughn gave the beleaguered ICC a much needed shot in the arm, confirming that a local company would provide the technology for its home Test matches against Pakistan that starts later this month, calling the decision "exciting" and an "important advance" in world cricket.
In the ICC's corridors of power, the game's bosses weren't hopeful of this bit of news. Having made the umpire referrals system mandatory for all Test cricket from October onwards, suddenly they had egg on their face as important member countries refused to play ball.
The BCCI and its broadcaster Nimbus said a firm 'no' to putting the tools in place for the series between India and Sri Lanka.
Cricket South Africa President Gerald Majola stirred the controversy by refusing to implement it for their Test matches against England starting next month. He said if the ICC wanted it badly enough they should pay for it themselves.
There are murmurs that opposition to the referrals system came from within the Indian dressing room. They were on the receiving end of most such referrals when the system was first experimented with in Sri Lanka last year.
Sachin Tendulkar's reluctance in accepting the system is on record. And his view seems to have the support among his team at least.
However, India's coach Gary Kirsten feels it's not the right time to implement the system. "Need to iron out flaws before implementing it," he said.
Ironically, there had been talk after this decision went against Tendulkar in Mohali recently that the ICC could even consider introducing referrals in one-day cricket.
The PCB had officially demanded such a move after Umar Akmal got a shocker in the Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand.
All eyes now will be on the series between Pakistan and New Zealand. If the umpire referrals system does indeed get the thumbs up from the players, the ICC will have a stronger case to convince cynical boards to pick up the tab.
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