‘Referral system will undermine umpires’

“While on one hand they (ICC) talk about the spirit of the game the talk on other side is about challenging the umpire’s authority. How can these two opposing views be compatible?” Bedi questions.

Describing the system, that allows players to challenge an umpire’s decision thrice unsuccessfully, an ‘absolute dud’, Bedi said the ticket buying public should not be made suffer the halts in the game that would come about by the its use.

However, former India cricketers Syed Kirmani and Chetan Chauhan came out in support of the referral system saying that ICC’s decision will provide on-field umpires, an opportunity to rectify their mistakes but admitted that it would also step on the umpire’s authority.

“With millions of rupees being embroiled in the game, it is better to bring in technology,” Chauhan said.

“We have to understand that they (the umpires) get a split of a second to make decisions, and one mistake can ruin any newcomer’s career. The system will mean less wrong decisions, and pressure on the umpires will reduce,” the former Test opener argued.

However, Chauhan said the system will undermine the authority of the on field umpires further and the charm and grace of the game will be lost.

In contrast, former wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani said the system would help to clear misunderstandings among players and thus prevent the umpire from getting involved in any unfair criticism or controversy.

Appreciating the ICC’s move to try out the referral system directly in the Test matches, Kirmani said, “Testing the system in the highest form of the game in an atmosphere of utmost pressure would allow us to judge the types of variations that can be brought to cricket.”