Replays can be harmful 8212; Lillee

PERTH, DECEMBER 24: Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee has warned that big-screen replays at Test venues could spark riots by angry spectators. 8220;The replays are not only making life intolerable for umpires 8212; one day they will incite a riot,8221; Lillee, who took 355 Test wickets, wrote in a column in Friday8217;s West Australian newspaper.

Instant replays of major happenenings 8212; especially controversial umpiring decisions 8212; are flashed on to a huge screen at Australian grounds during international matches. The replays, from TV footage, are shown with the approval of the Australian Cricket Board ACB. 8220;Those on the International Cricket Council should put down their gin and tonics and plug into what is happening in Australia this summer,8221; Lillee urged.

8220;With big screen and snickometer technology, how on earth could the ACB send one of their umpires into such an environment? At the moment, the ACB are aiding and abetting trouble.8221;

Lillee said already this summer Australians hadseen Hair and fellow national panel umpire Simon Taufel speak severely to, and report, stand-in Indian captain Sourav Ganguly for standing mid-pitch and angrily watching a big-screen replay after having an appeal turned down.

8220;The umpires would certainly be looking over their shoulder with considerable trepidation had Ganguly pulled such a stunt back home at Ahmedabad8217;s powderkeg stadium,8221; Lillee said.