Champions Trophy to test new technology

ICC chief executive officer Malcolm Speed said there was no intention of tr — ing to take decisions away from umpires — but to help them get them right.

“What we have consistently sought to do is to increase the already high numbers of correct decisions made by umpires while, at the same time, not diminishing their on-field role and authority,” Speed said Saturday after a meeting by the Cricket Committee of the ICC.

“This measure has the potential to do that, but at the same time the Committee was mindful of the possible downside with its implications to the fabric of the game and the authority of the on-field umpires.”

The committee also agreed to a trial period in which teams can appeal to television umpires if they feel decisions are incorrect. The trial will take place at this year’s Champions Trophy in India from October 7 to November 5. It will then be reviewed to see whether it should be used in tests or other tournaments.

“Each team will be allowed three appeals to the third umpire per innings,” said ICC general manager David Richardson. “If the appeal is successful they will retain the right to three appeals, but if not then it is lost.

“Only the captain from the fielding side will be entitled to make the appeal by approaching the on-field umpire making the sign of a TV with his hands. For the batting side, only the batsman involved in the decision would be able to make the appeal, which he would do in the same way.”

On the issue of bad light, the ICC banned the practice of using floodlights, but agreed umpires should be issued with a directive that play should be maximized wherever possible.

It was agreed that light meters should be utilized to a greater degree to establish a benchmark of what constitutes unacceptable light.