This week’s third Ashes Test will see the International Cricket Council (ICC) trial an independent television feed with the aim of improving its controversial Decision Review System.
DRS, designed to eliminate the “howler” by on-field umpires, has been at the centre of several controversial decisions in the first two Test of the Ashes, both of which England have won to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has been among those leading calls for the system to become a fully independent operation and not, as is currently the case, be reliant on the technology of the host broadcaster.
Now this week’s Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford will see the ICC trial an independent feed, although it will not yet be available to help the third umpire with his deliberations.
Earlier this month, ICC chief executive David Richardson explained how the new feed, which is still at the “drawing-board stage”, might work as part of an improved DRS set-up.
“There will be a bank of televisions in the third umpire’s room -- with Hawkeye, replays and Hot Spot directly available to him to look at independently to what is on TV,” Richardson said.
“At the moment the third umpire talks to the TV producer and says ‘Can I have a look at this?’,” the former South Africa wicketkeeper added.
“The idea is you give the third umpire access to information he needs much quicker and (you are) not reliant on the television producer to do it.”