Johann de Jager
Bloemfontein – The International Cricket Council (ICC) should drive forward the use of the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS), rather than leave the decision in the hands of the two opposing teams’ respective cricket boards.
So says Protea captain Graeme Smith, in reaction to the news that the controversial system will not be used in the coming Test series in South Africa against India.
Gerald Majola, chief executive of Cricket South Africa (CSA), informed Sport24 from Dubai on Tuesday that the system wouldn't be used as India wasn't in favour of it.
"I think the ICC should manage it. At the moment it is being left to the respective cricket boards and if one of the two doesn't agree, it isn't used," said Smith.
"The ICC should take full responsibility for it, rather than leaving it in the hands of the home boards."
India is sceptical about the UDRS.
Their first introduction to the system left a bad taste in their mouths to such an extent that, since 2008 in Sri Lanka, they have not used the system in a series at home.
Conversely, South Africa has used the system in their last two cricket Test series at home.
"We struggled with it the first time against Australia, but in the series against England we mastered it," said Smith.
According to him it would be difficult to really judge the system's value if it wasn't used regularly.
Teams would also struggle to get used to it if it was only used now and then.
England's coach, Andy Flower, has given his support to the system, particularly its use in deciding catches.
This follows an incident which saw Aussie captain Ricky Ponting allegedly catch England opener Alastair Cook during the second innings of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. In this case technology couldn't prove the catch was held without a doubt.
Cook batted on from his score at that point of 209, and finally ended on an unbeaten 235.
Bloemfontein – The International Cricket Council (ICC) should drive forward the use of the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS), rather than leave the decision in the hands of the two opposing teams’ respective cricket boards.
So says Protea captain Graeme Smith, in reaction to the news that the controversial system will not be used in the coming Test series in South Africa against India.
Gerald Majola, chief executive of Cricket South Africa (CSA), informed Sport24 from Dubai on Tuesday that the system wouldn't be used as India wasn't in favour of it.
"I think the ICC should manage it. At the moment it is being left to the respective cricket boards and if one of the two doesn't agree, it isn't used," said Smith.
"The ICC should take full responsibility for it, rather than leaving it in the hands of the home boards."
India is sceptical about the UDRS.
Their first introduction to the system left a bad taste in their mouths to such an extent that, since 2008 in Sri Lanka, they have not used the system in a series at home.
Conversely, South Africa has used the system in their last two cricket Test series at home.
"We struggled with it the first time against Australia, but in the series against England we mastered it," said Smith.
According to him it would be difficult to really judge the system's value if it wasn't used regularly.
Teams would also struggle to get used to it if it was only used now and then.
England's coach, Andy Flower, has given his support to the system, particularly its use in deciding catches.
This follows an incident which saw Aussie captain Ricky Ponting allegedly catch England opener Alastair Cook during the second innings of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. In this case technology couldn't prove the catch was held without a doubt.
Cook batted on from his score at that point of 209, and finally ended on an unbeaten 235.