ICC umpires support TV technology trial

Cricket's newly appointed elite panel of international match umpires has backed the International Cricket Council's (ICC) plan to experiment with extended television technology to aid umpiring decisions.

The eight umpires on the panel have agreed to test the new system during this September' ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Sri Lanka, the ICC confirmed.

The decision was reached on the first day of the ICC umpires and referees conference at the Arabella Country Estate near Cape Town.

"This endorsement was a positive outcome from a very good day's business for the conference," said ICC chief executive officer Malcolm Speed.

"The issue of technology was debated at some length and it was agreed that a trial was the best way to move forward, to judge if more technological assistance would be of benefit."

Under the system, which was agreed at an ICC meeting in Cape Town on Sunday, on-field umpires will be able to consult with the third official on any decision.

Consultation will be optional but, when a third umpire is contacted, he will be allowed only two replays before passing information to the on-field officials.

The third umpire will not be able to intervene unless he is called upon by the on-field umpires.

Line decisions, hit-wicket and boundary referrals will continue to be decided by the television umpire, as they are at present.

The ICC recommendation for the extended use of television technology will now go forward for final ratification by the ICC's executive board, which will meet in England this June.

The ICC's umpires panel comprises: Steve Bucknor (West Indies), Asoka De Silva (Sri Lanka), Daryl Harper (Australia), Rudi Koertzen (South Africa), Dave Orchard (South Africa), David Shepherd (England), Russell Tiffin (Zimbabwe) and Srinivas Venkataraghavan (India).

Mail Cricket Editor