ICC recommends mandatory use of DRS

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The International Cricket Council's Chief Executive Committee on Monday recommended mandatory use of the controversial Decision Review System, an innovation that has been consistently opposed by the BCCI, in Tests and one-dayers.

The CEC met for two days on June 24 and 25 as part of the ICC Annual Conference and "recommended to the Board the universal application of the DRS after being satisfied with the technology enhancements provided by new Hotspot cameras and the results of the independent research on ball tracking conducted by Dr Ed Rosten, an expert in computer vision technology."

Dr Rosten tested the accuracy and reliability of ball tracking in a recent Test series and concluded that the results were '100 per cent in agreement with the outcomes produced from his assessments'.

CEC recommended that, subject to the Members' ability to finance and obtain the required technology, DRS should be mandatory for all Tests and ODIs.

"Furthermore, Hotspot cameras must be included in the minimum requirements (two cameras) alongside ball tracking technology.''

The CEC also recommended a minor amendment to the LBW protocols whereby the 'margin of uncertainty' regarding the point of impact with the batsman should be the same as that provided for the point of impact with the stumps.

"The number of successful reviews will be retained at two per innings for a Test and one per innings for an ODI."

Outgoing ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said the recommendations have been made on the basis of independent trials.

"We have made good progress in independently testing ball tracking and the new enhancements has resulted in the CEC unanimously supporting the ICC Cricket Committee's recommendation to universally apply the DRS in all Test matches and ODIs," he said.

BCCI has vehemently opposed the system, insisting that it is not accurate enough and has time and again refused to allow its usage in bilateral series featuring India.

On the other issues related to the sport, the CEC stressed on keeping the ODI format relevant in the face of stiff popularity competition from T20s.

"When considering the appeal of the 50-over format, the CEC agreed with the ICC Cricket Committee recommended regulation changes including that powerplays be restricted to the first block of 10 overs and a batting Powerplay of five overs to be completed before the start of the 41st over.''

"(Also) a maximum of four fielders to be allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the non-Powerplay overs and the number of permitted short pitched balls should increase from one per over to two.''

The CEC also supported the introduction of Day/Night Test cricket, with the approval of both participating teams and the provision of a suitable ball as recommended by the ICC Cricket Committee.

Besides, the CEC felt that extra context will be granted to Test cricket by the introduction of an ICC World Test Championship in 2017 and to ODI cricket through the introduction of full qualification process for the ICC Cricket World Cup from 2015.