India’s rejection of the Decision Review System for their Test series against Australia could raise tensions and boost the number of contentious decisions, reports said on Wednesday.
Cricket Australia had hoped the Indian cricket board would allow a compromise version of the DRS, which uses technology to improve the accuracy of decisions. But Indian cricket chiefs said they would not budge because of concerns over the accuracy of electronic aids. “Our view is well documented, we are a supporter of DRS. It was discussed,” a CA spokesman told The Sydney Morning Herald. “(But) the ICC’s policy is very clear: for any individual tour, you need both nations to agree.” India’s aversion to the DRS stems back to their 2008 Test series with Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka made 11 successful referrals to India’s one.
Host Australian broadcaster Channel Nine said it could not understand why India had concerns over the review system used by the network, which provides the technology that the match umpires can call upon. “We are not really sure what they are basing that on,” Brad McNamara, the executive producer of Nine’s cricket coverage, told the Herald. “There are different types of the technology around the world. Some of it is not as accurate as others. “I just hope they are not basing their judgements on the inferior technology instead of the good one. “We put a lot of time, effort and money into making it as accurate as possible. We are fairly certain we are using the best technology available. “If India get a couple of rough ones (decisions) through the summer, they might all of a sudden become a fan of the DRS. It is a bit confusing.”
McNamara said the network would continue to use the DRS and Hot Spot (infra-red imaging technology), allowing viewers to have a closer look at controversial decisions. Australian coach Mickey Arthur said he had hoped the DRS would be used during the Test series against India, which starts on December 26. “I have been in favour of it, I always have been,” Arthur said.
