The third Test between India and Australia re-ignited the debate over the decision review system (DRS) and whether it should be employed in Tests in India like it is all over the world.
Want my opinion? Well you’re reading this article so I’ll assume you do.
DRS should be scrapped in Test matches.
“Whoa, hang on a sec”, I hear you shout at your computer screen.
Well, let me explain my reasoning.
First and foremost, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) adamantly refuses to support and employ the technology and have shown absolutely no inclination towards changing this opinion. Their stubborn stance will inevitably remain.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) are scared of offending the BCCI and so will not enforce any changes regarding mandatory DRS employment if it results in offending the richest and most powerful cricketing nation in the world.
The result of all this is that the ICC looks weak.
This weakens cricket as a whole.
Drop the DRS, let the BCCI win this battle so that the ICC and cricket can win the war.
Secondly, the DRS is lowering the standard of umpiring around the world as it sends out the same negative message: a machine is better at your job than you.
With that playing on an umpire’s mind, their confidence cannot help but be diminished and they start to second guess themselves.
Umpires then do not want to make any 50/50 calls that are such a pivotal part of cricket as they can just let a machine do it or fear they will be proven wrong.
Even when they do make a call, the players have the option to contest it.
So they leave it up to a machine. They even check if a wicket ball was a no ball as they don’t trust their initial judgment.
Scrap the system and use the money on elite-standard umpire training across the board.
They will regain ultimate authority on the field. Howlers may still happen, but if the ICC redirects DRS money towards umpire training and is stricter about them meeting performance standards then these will be extremely rare.
Plus, howlers happen anyway even with DRS in place. Once two incorrect referrals are used up, incorrect decisions cannot be overturned.
Thirdly, and most importantly, DRS destroys the excitement of a Test match.
Think about it.
When a wicket falls, it is a glorious moment. Bat has finally been defeated by ball and stumps have been shattered.
The bowler cheers, the crowd cheers, momentum is gained, the tail is up and everyone is raring to go before the whole process is stopped by the need to review the decision.
As a result, fans are staying home and people are turning off their televisions.
So please take it away, give umpires the confidence to do their job properly.
And while you are at it, thicken the line of the crease so that the umpire can confidently call no ball early.
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