The refusal by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to use the DRS has continued to create controversy.
During the first Test of the current series against India and Australia, there were several dubious decisions, particularly possible LBWs against Michael Clarke and Sachin Tendulkar that were turned down.
This time it was another lbw decision, against Ed Cowan. The Tasmanian played a glorious off-drive down the ground for four before being trapped in front by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in which umpire Marias Eramus had no hesitation in giving out.
Replays showed that the ball would’ve probably gone onto hit middle and off but the ball clearly pitched outside leg stump.
The wicket triggered an Australian top-order collapse in which Watson and Hughes who both made starts (23 and 19 respectively) were dismissed.
Warner (6), was dismissed earlier by B. Kumar with a beauty of a deliver that swung and cut back into him, castling Warner’s leg stump. That left Australia 4/63 when both Clarke and Wade combined for a century partnership to steady Australia.
It’s not the first time that a Test series involving India has created controversy involving umpiring decisions. Had it not been for Clarke and Wade’s partnership, Australia could be easily bowled out for under 200, largely because of Cowan’s wicket.
It could’ve easily been avoided if the BCCI just simply allowed the use of the DRS. Cowan would’ve called for a referral, replays would show the ball pitched outside leg and the decision would be overturned.
It would not be controversial, and we could just get on with the game.
The purpose of the DRS is to eradicate obvious howlers made by umpires so far this series.
Had Hawkeye been available in the broadcasting of the Test series then it may have showed Tendulkar was very lucky when his LBW was turned down as well.
Fortunately for the BCCI and the umpires, the mistakes are unlikely to have altered the eventual outcome. Despite Clarke’s century, India went on to score a huge first innings total and win the match.
However, there have been a few cases where umpiring decisions have been costly. In some instances, it can cost more than just the match. It can cost a player his career.
It is possible that if Cowan doesn’t make a sizeable score in the second innings, he could be dropped.
The DRS was introduced for a reason. How long until the ICC do something about this and compel the BCCI to use it?
Prateek Sharma
Guest
There was once, EA Sports Cricket 07
Brandon Marlow
Roar Pro
There is no such thing as Ea Sports Cricket 2012, mate.
Brandon Marlow
Roar Pro
The BCCI are runining cricket, plain and simple.
Bearfax
Guest
Except now we see ALL the mistakes on playback, close in shots, slow motion, trajectory lines etc etc. Using the old system is fine when we the audience cant see the mistakes. But now we can and full screen and in colour on the 6 pm News. Not fair on the umpires, not fair on the spectators and viewers, not fair on cricket generally. If they want to go back to the old system, stop the excellent coverage on TV. If not use the DRS
Bearfax
Guest
I seem to recall I think Cowan being given not out in the first test before he scored leg before when he was hit directly in line with the stumps. What goes around comes around. Mind you I think if they have the system and it seems to work they should use it. To me its like in most sports. The TV audience is now seeing things much more accurately than the umpires can and this is unfair on the umpires and on the game. The system should be at least as good as what we viewers can see on TV otherwise the game will increasingly be fraught with controversy.
DavisCup229
Roar Rookie
In some ways the Indians are showing us how cricket was before DRS. This series it is back on the umpires to back their judgement more.
M-Rod
Guest
I couldn't agree more... great to be able to watch a Test Match (on Fox) without it degenerating into some kind of farce borne of the DRS, with its mickey-mouse simulations that over simplify physical characteristics of the game, and force umpiring interpretations within the bounds of its self-limiting capability.... crikey, things like 'hotspot' can't differentiate between sun-glare off a batsman's gloves or friction from the ball.. go play EA Sports Cricket 2012 if simulated cricket & DRS gimmicks is your thing, otherwise just let the rest of us enjoy the game in all its reality.
Kevin
Guest
" not by much" if we go through the highlights of days gone by, plenty of lbw's were given ( and as per point here still are) at balls that pitched marginally outside the line of " off stump to off stump".. The DRS is now providing a false standard on which we judge this..
Matt H
Guest
It was definitely outside leg, although not by much
Kevin
Guest
Can you define / elaborate " clearly pitched outside leg stump" , from the reply I just saw it was pretty much a stump to stump delivery..
brian
Guest
it doesnt matter cause then you have people calling clarke a cheat for not walking and for the umpires sake, drs makes every umpire decision so much better and removes howlers like this
The continued resistance the BCCI has against the DRS system suggest to me there are other reasons rather than the stated one behind their refusal to use it. If you consider their resistance are mostly based on the fact that in their opinion it isn't accurate enough, then by that same argument umpires should also not be used as they are marginally less accurate than the DRS system. Perhaps they believe the luck of the draw is better than the actual accuracy.
Bearfax
Guest
I thought Indian cricket was the new leader and great new innovator in international cricket. I guess, given this decision, that I am mistaken.
John
Guest
I think umpires are doing a great job. Most of the decisions are right even without DRS. You can never get away from controversies, as we saw in last series DRS has its own challenges.
sheek
Roar Guru
Test umpires are international, not local. So I'm not sure how this argument fits?
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Maybe Cowan should try using his bat rather than his leg. That might help him out.
Jamesmoir
Guest
Was he even 1? I didn't think he'd scored.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Yeah I notice this article didn't appear after Clarke's escape in the 1st test!
Matt
Guest
Good point.
Praveen
Guest
Cowan was out lbw on 1 in the second innings of the first test, so some go your way and others don't, the fact remains that A average of 31 after nearly 15 tests is not good enough for cowan