May backs players' calls for umpire reviews in all Tests

The chief of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) yesterday called for the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) to be applied throughout all Test series. The referral system is being used in a Test series in Britain for the first time during the England and Pakistan Test series. Tim May, FICA chief executive, said he backed recent comments from leading cricketers such as Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, Australia's Ricky Ponting, India's Virender Sehwag and recently-retired umpire Rudi Koertzen for the review system to be implemented in all Tests.

Under the review system each side is allowed two unsuccessful challenges to on-field decisions per innings, although they have a maximum of 15 seconds to make the request. The third umpire, assisted by various technological aids, then rules on whether to overturn an on-field verdict. "In May this year, the ICC's Cricket Committee, of which I am a member, made a recommendation to the ICC's Chief Executives' Committee that the UDRS should be used in all Tests in all series," May said in a statement. This is a recommendation that was strongly supported by players that FICA represents.

"Unfortunately, the ICC Chief Executives' Committee did not adopt this recommendation." May, the former Australian Test spinner, said the committee instead preferred to give various national Boards' discretion to use the technology from series to series, because of concerns over the funding of the technology and opposition from some Boards to the system. "The players are aware that the system isn't 100 per cent perfect, but believe that its introduction has resulted in an improved number of correct decisions and the eradication of the 'obvious' incorrect decision," he added.

* AFP