The addition of a third review per innings could prove a game changer this summer, encouraging Australia and India to gamble even if uncertain during the four-Test series.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), having reverted to local umpires during the COVID-19 pandemic, decided to give sides an extra referral.
It has given batsmen more freedom to roll the dice on a speculative review, as was the case when Marnus Labuschagne was trapped LBW during Day 2 of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
“It can be (a game changer). Marnus and Steve (Smith) are going to use it, regardless of whether we have one or ten reviews,” Tim Paine quipped.
“They’re never out.
“Fully expect those two will use two of our reviews, so the other guys will have to be careful with our last one.
“I wasn’t going to argue with him (Labuschagne). Sometimes it’s worth taking the punt.”
Labuschagne suggested the rule change “definitely allows you to gamble with one of your reviews”.
(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
“When you’re six down and still have three reviews, it’s pretty much a non-negotiable,” Labuschagne told the ABC.
“That’s not a team (policy), that’s just my own view.
“Three reviews has definitely added that extra dimension, you can gamble on a few if you think they’re iffy.”
DRS, which allows players to refer an on-field umpire’s verdict, was introduced to remove howlers but quickly became a tactical tool.
Paine opted against referring a caught-behind appeal on Day 1, which could have led to Virat Kohli’s dismissal on 16.
Kohli scored an additional 58 runs before being run out on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Paine revealed the decision to hand Pat Cummins the new ball ahead of Josh Hazlewood was because of a lack of swing in the match.
“Which has been unusual with the pink ball,” Paine said.
“It’s been more of that nip off the seam and Patty’s our best at that.
“Josh was happy with that and he’ll play a big role for us tomorrow.”
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With the extra review the umpires should also change their opinions especially in regards to lbw decisions, erring on the side of the batsman in close ones. The fielding side then can go to the DRS if they think strongly about a decision. Look at what happened with Joe Burn's lbw decision yesterday. The umpires call stood even though it was a very vlose call. The ball tracker had the ball just knicking the leg stump, then you have the margin of error of ball tracking to take into account which could maybe have it missing. So we have technology maybe having it missing while the umpire is just using his eye sight & his opinion/assumption of where the ball would be going. So maybe in these close lbw ones hand it over to DRS & take into account the margin of error in favour of the batsmen.