145;Umpires reduced to glorified hat stands146;

Only the captain of the fielding side and the batsman involved in the dismissal may refer a decision, under the new plans each team is allowed two unsuccessful referrals per innings on all modes of dismissal, except batsmen being timed out.

But Bird said the Board were taking away umpires8217; integrity. 8220;The umpire that I was brought up to be is finished. Their authority and integrity is being taken away and it8217;s a very sad day for cricket,8221; he was quoted as saying by The Mirror.

8220;If players are allowed to challenge an umpire8217;s decision, all you have left is a man who counts six balls in an over and a glorified hat stand.

8220;I was not totally opposed to the introduction of technology to help with line decisions 8212; run-outs and stumpings 8212; but I was worried it would be the thin end of the wedge,8221; the English umpire added.