ICC act on wider use of technology for decision making in International Cricket

The ICC today responded to media comment surrounding the use of technology to assist umpire's decision making in international cricket. The issue has been highlighted during the recent Pakistan v England Test match in Faisalabad and also in the Australia v West Indies Test in Perth.

The ICC is constantly reviewing the practical use of technology in this area. The subject is scheduled as a major agenda item for the ICC Cricket Committee-Playing meeting in London next May, when delegates from all Test playing countries will hold detailed discussions on the use of technology in the game.

This is part of a formal review of playing conditions for international cricket, which takes place on a three yearly cycle.

Preliminary findings from the use of technology to assist with lbw decisions, which is currently being trialled with the support of the ICC in South African domestic cricket, will also be reviewed at the meeting.

"We recognise that this whole area is one of great importance to everyone associated with international cricket," said Clive Hitchcock, ICC's cricket operations manager. "Technology has been successfully introduced to assist umpires in recent years and the debate now is to determine how far that should be extended. The position of umpires as decision makers cannot be compromised as it is increasingly being at present. At the same we need to ensure that the players are confident and comfortable with the decision making process."

The wider issues of improving standards and attracting umpires into the game to strengthen the resource pool and long term supply of high quality international umpires will also be discussed at the May meeting. Views obtained from consultations with international panel umpires and Test match captains, on behalf of their players, will be considered as part of the debate.

At the same time the ICC has clarified media reports relating to proposals made by England coach Duncan Fletcher on the referral of decisions to the third umpire. Mr Fletcher's paper was in fact submitted to the ECB (England & Wales Cricket Board) rather than the ICC, and at this time has not been passed to the ICC for formal consideration.

The ICC Cricket Committee - Playing includes many highly experienced and well known former Test match cricketers and captains:

Mark Harrison
ICC Communications Manager
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7266 7913/ 7901
E Mail: mark.harrison@icc.cricket.org