ICC may allow appeals against umpire's decisions

Cricinfo staff

May 5, 2006


The ICC's cricket committee will debate whether or not to allow players a limited number of appeals per innings if they feel that the on-field umpires have made an incorrect decision.

Both the batting and fielding sides could be allowed to appeal against a decision if they feel it is incorrect. If the idea is supported by the committee at the meeting on Friday and Saturday and accepted by the chief executives' committee and the ICC board, it could be introduced at the Champions Trophy in India and, if successful, used at the World Cup in the West Indies in 2007.

"The proposal is that run-out and stumping decisions will stay as they are. The on-field umpire will consult the third umpire in the normal way. Every other decision, including leg before the wicket, can be checked - every aspect of every decision," Dave Richardson, ICC's general manager (cricket), told Indo-Asian News Service. "The proposal is that if your appeal is unsuccessful then you lose that appeal and you are allowed only a certain number. We haven't decided on the number yet. It could be two or four per team per innings.

"The ICC has consistently shown a willingness to explore the possibilities offered by technology over the past four years ever since the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002," said Richardson. "What we are looking to do is to increase the already-high numbers of correct decisions made by our on-field umpires without diminishing their role and this approach has the potential to do just that. Umpires at international level already get between 94% and 96% of decisions correct so we believe we are not talking about a large number of potential referrals. And if it increases the number of correct decisions even further then that has to benefit the game.

"It's not easy to find a compromise, but by having tried various things over the years we are in a good position now to see what works and what doesn't. We are ready for a final push in the direction we want to go, which is a compromise position that satisfies both the traditionalists and those who are for greater use of technology. There would be some who would say it was against the spirit and tradition of the game. But the majority of people in the cricket world are saying that if you've got technology why aren't you using it."

I like this idea (except close to the ground catches which should remain with the on-field umpires). I think it's a step forward.

why would there be an arbitrary amount of appeals allowed? What if only 2 appeals are allowed and there are 3 incorrect decisions?

and if the appeal goes against you, the batting side are deducted 10 runs and if its the bowling side the opposing team is added 10 extras

Too many would mean that many more stoppages.
I do think there should be a cap otherwise we'll see everything being appealed.

how do you decide when to appeal? if you ask the batsmen, they're never out leg before. if you wait for the dressing room to push the appeal button, it may be too late. often, the replays of the last dismissal are shown after the next batsman comes in and faces a ball, since the broadcasters break for commercials right after a wicket. they might have to work around that. minor details, ofcourse.

hope they pass this rule...

this is a stupid rule if they cared so much why dont they actually give the umpire that oppurtunity. Then the rule makes sense. otherwise they are making it like tennis and the nfl. its stupid. give the umpire the oppurtunity refer it to the 3rd umpire.

Groan...bloody technology

test cricket is a physical and mental battle between men, one of the greatest contests that has ever been thought up. It should retain its attritional and human edge.

I think its a good idea to give this proposal a trial. It could help resolve some controversial decisions and stop crucial wrong decisions. If it doesn't work then thats fair enough as at least there would have been a trial

I agree it should maintain its human edge. It adds to the excitement certainly. Most umpires are human and the mistakes they make are genuine. However in the case of Darrel Hair for example, it is pretty obvious his 'mistakes' are far from genuine and the advantage that non Asian teams gain when he is umpiring will certainly be reduced.

Surely the logical path would be to demote Hair instead of overhaul the umpiring system.

Everyone knows Hair is crap, they're all very error prone except Taufel actually - but Hair just takes the mick.

Can the dressing room appeal when a batsman walks despite not being out like Sachin did??

cap is only on incorrect appeals. In other words if your appeal in upheald then it will not be counted.

if umpiring gets fair

one can have little doubt that AUSSIE dominance on cricket will well on its way to exit

I don't support it.

As much as I want the right decision to be made, I dont support this move.

Umpiring errors are part of the game. As long as umpires give their best, I am happy!

Its a very good move. Even though umpires do make mistakes, and it is only human to do so, sometimes they can be very crucial. With this rule, these kind of mistakes can be reduced, which in the end is what we all want. That is for the best team to win.