The Umpire Decision Referral System (UDRS) could undergo further changes, but will never be perfect, the ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat has said. The system has had its fair share of supporters and detractors since the time it was first implemented in the India-Sri Lanka Tests in 2008. It is currently being used in the Ashes but will not be in operation for the India-South Africa series, due to India’s objection.
“From the start we’ve always had a very open mind about the referral system and we are always open to changes that can make the system better,” Lorgat told AAP. “I can’t say what those changes might be, but we are open-minded.”
The UDRS received the ICC’s approval to be used in the 2011 World Cup in the subcontinent, and the governing body has allowed the boards to implement the system in bilateral ODI series for teams to get used to the technology ahead of the tournament. Lorgat said support for UDRS was increasing. “More and more people are being won over to the system after having seen it or used it,” Lorgat said. “There are still a few people who are not supportive of it.”
Lorgat stressed that the system’s purpose was to rectify any glaring umpiring errors, and cited Alastair Cook’s calling for a referral in the Adelaide Test against being given out caught-behind.
“It is not there to get a wicket when you are struggling to find one, it is there to fix the obvious errors,” he said. “Alastair Cook’s referral on the fourth day when he was given out caught behind off his arm was a classic example.
“That’s exactly what it is for, and I’m quite confident we are near to the ideal. We will never have it 100% right.” (Cricinfo)
