Using technology to help the Umpires

[Hondo]

Seems to me a lot of the trouble post the 2nd test stemmed from the umpiring mistakes

I think its time the ICC recognised how much is stake in international cricket and stopped forcing umpires to make split second decisions and denying him the chance to look at the many replays. Surely the right decision is more important than sticking with tradition?

IMO the system to follow is the one used in the NFL. Basically, in the NFL the system (refined over about the last 10 years) is:

- the referee on the field makes his decision
- coaches have the right to 'challenge' up to around 3 or so decisions per game
- once a challenge is made, the referee goes to the TV monitor and watches all the available replays of the incident
- if there is no doubt whatsoever that the decision was wrong, it is overturned
- if there is still some doubt, the on-field decision stands

To me, the benefits are that the on-field umpire gets to make the first call and then final call (not a 3rd umpire) so his authority is maintained. Because of the limit on the number of challenges, a team will not challenge everything. Bottom line - obvious errors are eliminated and no-one can be accused of not walking or appealing when they shouldn't - and the RIGHT decision is made.

I think in time this will come in and we'll look back and shake our heads that we used to rely solely on split-second decisions made in real time. I think its crazy that the Umpire is forced to decide so quickly in an elite sport where their decision can change the course of a match. And when the incident can then be replayed infinitum afterwards to highlight over and over an obvious error.

The only ones benefiting from the technology at the moment are the TV viewers and the media.

[whufc]

One thing about the NFL challenge is that if they get the decision over turned they keep there three challenges. If they challenge and it doesn't get over turned that is when they loose one of there three challenges.

[RustyCage]

One thing about the NFL challenge is that if they get the decision over turned they keep there three challenges. If they challenge and it doesn't get over turned that is when they loose one of there three challenges.

And they lose a time out.

If the ump is to look at a monitor, they have to walk off the field to do it? How long have the players got to appeal? What can and cant be challegned?

[HeartBeatsTrue]

How about an incorrect challenge costs runs? Might not work in a Test, especially when the batting side is just trying to waste time in order to save a match.
Its easy to punish the bowling team, eg the batting team can have a few free hits.
Perhaps if a batsman makes 3 incorrect challenges within one year of test matches, then they are suspended for the next match, like in soccer with yellow cards.

[Hondo]

I reckon leave it up the Captain to challenge what he wants. He knows before the match he only gets 3 (or whatever number) challenges per game so if he uses them up on stupid ones in the first session then he can't complain afterwards if he runs out.

It will hold up the game for a few minutes but surely getting the right decision is more important.

[HeartBeatsTrue]

If the ump is to look at a monitor, they have to walk off the field to do it?

No, technology is so advanced these days.
Stump cam can double as a projector and a large screen can be unrolled from behind the stumps at the other end.

[Ian]

Surely the right decision is more important than sticking with tradition?

Spot on.

I'm not sure what would be the best way to go about it though, I wouldn't want to see every obvious decision double checked, umpires still have to be able to make a decision themselves sometimes.

[locky801]

and cricket was in so much turmoil for hundreds of years with disputed umpires decisions, then they bought in stump cam, no ball cam, side on cam, perve cam, every other damn cam you can think about, who would be an umpire

[whufc]

My biggest issue with the challenge rule is if a batsmen is given out LBW can he challenge that decision as well.
Imagine how many decisions that would be challenged and how many times the umpire would call for the third umpire (everytime), like in Rugby league now where every try is met by the ref wanting to see replays.
It has really taken away from thre sheer emotion of getting a try, this would happen in cricket that spontainous reaction to a wicket would be lost because of the third umpire or challenge system.