England fast bowler Chris Tremlett cannot understand why India are so vehemently opposed to cricket’s Decision Review System (DRS). DRS, which allows teams to make two incorrect challenges to an on-field umpire’s decision before all their referrals for that innings are used up, has broadly been accepted by most of cricket’s leading nations and was in use at the recent World Cup in the subcontinent, which India won.
However, India have been opposed to the system almost from the moment of its inception in 2009 and, despite International Cricket Council (ICC) calls for it to be used in all major matches, are adamant they want no part of it in England. As both teams have, in effect, to agree to its use that means it won’t feature in the four-Test series starting next month that forms the centrepiece of India’s upcoming tour of England.
The system is currently being used in the ongoing England-Sri Lanka Test series that concludes with the third Test at the Rose Bowl starting Thursday. Tremlett, who has benefited from the system, said the ICC should insist on its use in all Tests. “I am a fan of the system. If the technology is there it should be used,” Tremlett said. “Who knows why they (India) don’t want it involved?
“There have been a few decisions that have been rightly overturned and as a bowler you want those decisions given out. It’s a fair way of doing things. I’m fully in agreement with it. “It’s something that we like to use and it should be used in every Test if the technology is there and it’s a shame that they don’t want DRS involved in the India series.” The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have questioned the accuracy of the technology involved but Tremlett said: “It is very accurate. Sometimes there is a lot of noise around a Test match and an umpire might not hear a fine nick so it’s an important thing to have.”
“It has been a successful thing over the last six months.”
