UDRS under scanner again after centurion Bell benefits in ODI against Windies

(ANI): The controversy surrounding the application of the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) in the game of cricket at the international level refuses to die down.

Though, it is well known that Indian cricketers have expressed serious doubts about the UDRS, and often objected to its use in international fixtures, other countries such as Australia and England have championed its use, and have at times turned a blind eye to its ineffectiveness, and benefited from decisions.

The latest to benefit was star England batsman Ian Bell, who after scoring a sublime 126 against the West Indies in the first one-day international at Hampshire yesterday, revealed how he nicked the ball behind when on 23, but UDRS gave him the benefit of the doubt, and allowed him to fire England to one-day glory.

Bell helped England to register a 114-run win over the West Indies.

Asked if he thought he had hit the ball, Bell said: “Yeah.”

But that was the only blot on an otherwise wonderful day for the 30-year-old batsman.

The Daily Express quoted Bell, as saying: “It couldn’t have gone much better. It would have been nice to bat for another six overs or so because I felt I was going nicely. But I’m really happy. It’s good to go at the top of the order and play some proper cricket shots. I hope I can kick on and make the most of the opportunity.”

In March this year, South African Test captain Graeme Smith had praised the role of television referrals and the UDRS in international cricket.

“I did read a report that there were issues with the set-up of the cameras, which obviously isn’t ideal, and there has been a lot of scepticism about the last bit of the ball-tracking. But DRS has become an integral part of the game, it’s great for the fans and I can’t imagine playing without it,” Sport 24 quoted Smith, as saying then.

“It was designed to take away the shocking decision and it’s done that. I’d like to see it play a prominent part in international cricket,” he added.

His statement came after the DRS was criticised for inaccuracies in the recent series between South Africa and New Zealand.

In May, the International Cricket Council (ICC) held its annual review at Lord’s and discussed the application of the UDRS at its two-day meeting.

The annual review considered the reliability of the technologies used and the extent of improvements made, the correctness of the current DRS Leg Before Wicket (BMW) procedures and the impact on the game in the balance between bat and ball during the meet.

The committee, headed by former West Indies captain Clive Llyod also discussed an extensive range of other issues during the meeting, including Twenty20 strategy and the format of ODI cricket.

Various other issues like bringing more innovations in the limited over format, concept of day-night Test matches, and illegal-bowling actions were also discussed during the meeting.

The recommendations of the committee will go to the chief executives’ committee and the ICC board for approval.

The next meetings of those committees are set for Kuala Lumpur during the ICC’s annual conference week from June 24-28.