ICC Committee to review technology and playing conditions

A discussion on the role of the third umpire in international cricket and a triennial review of on-field playing conditions will be top on agenda when the ICC Cricket Committee-Playing meets in London on May 23.

The three-day meeting, chaired by Sunil Gavaskar, will consider the question of technology against a background of technical developments in broadcast coverage and its affect on the role and authority of umpires.

The scope of the discussion will include a full range of options, including maintaining the current situation, an increased use of technical assistance in making decisions, or a reduced reliance on technology.

Australian umpire Darrell Hair, a member of ICC panel, will join the meeting on the first day to give an umpire's perspective on the role on-field and the third umpires, in relation to TV replay referrals and decisions, the ICC said in a press release on Saturday.

Key matters for discussion within full review of playing conditions will include use of lights and penalty runs in Test matches and fielding restrictions, number of players in a team and the Duckworth/Lewis system for One-dayers. Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis will be present for this particular appraisal.

The standard playing conditions for all Test and One-day International cricket are reviewed every three years by the committee, which has delegated decision-making authority from the ICC Executive Board.

All member countries have been invited to give their views and recommendations at the meeting. Decisions reached will be effective for a three-year period starting September 1 this year. The Committee will also receive an update on the progress achieved to date in the restructuring of the international panel of umpires and referees. Decisions relating to this will be taken at the ICC Annual Conference slated for June.

All ICC full-member countries plus associates will be represented at the cricket committee meeting and among the delegates, besides Gavaskar, will be: Allan Border (Australia), John Reid Jr (New Zealand), Zaheer Abbas (Pakistan), Brian Basson (South Africa), Sidath Wettimuny (Sri Lanka), Kris Srikkanth (India), Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe), Jackie Hendriks (West Indies), Roquibal Hassan (Bangladesh), David Acfield (England), Geoff Edwards (Canada), John Everett (Scotland) and Harilal Shah (Kenya).

ICC chief executive David Richards and cricket operations manager Clive Hitchcock will represent the ICC management at the meeting.