03 December,2009 07:49 AM IST | | Sanjjeev K Samyal
It is ironic that when the rest of the cricket world is using the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS), a gaping umpiring blunder cut short a brilliant innings during the third Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Brabourne Stadium yesterday.
Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan received a shocker by umpire Nigel Llong when he adjudged him caught at short-leg off glove and pad when the glove was nearly a foot away from the ball. Dilshan scored 109.
The Review System is being used in all the other ongoing international series, including Australia-West Indies, New Zealand-Pakistan and South Africa-England. India's series against Sri Lanka is the only exception to this rule and it is believed that this is mainly due to the reluctance of the hosts. The official reason provided though is that the broadcaster is not ready to bear the extra cost of the equipment required, like the hot spot and hawk eye.
It is known that the Lankans were keen on employing the UDRS in this series. Sri Lanka's team manager Brendon Kuruppu refused to comment on Dilshan's decision, but diplomatically said enough to show his team's resentment.
"It (referral system) is fair to both teams. It increases the confidence of the players when they know that they won't be victims of error in judgement," Kuruppu told MiD DAY.
"At first we were under the impression that it would be used in this series after the ICC made it mandatory from October 1, but then there was some confusion and the ICC left it to the respective boards."
The Indian team had a taste of the system during the away Test series against Lanka with the host spinners winning most of the decisions. However, Kuruppu felt the referral system was a success.
When asked if the UDRS was an advantage for the bowlers, especially the unorthodox ones like Muttiah Muralitharan, who are difficult to read, Kuruppu said: "Bowlers have benefitted on most occasions but batsmen have appealed successfully too."
A case in point is Dilshan's ouster. "I'd be still batting (if there was a review)," Dilshan said.
All said and done, yesterday's umpiring blunder has only highlighted the significance of technology in decision-making.
