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Cricket

TV umpires move a step closer to becoming reality

11/09/2008

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced plans to continue the trial of using a referral system involving television umpires over the next six months.

At a meeting of the ICC's chief executives' committee (CEC) it was confirmed that the trial in the series between India and Sri Lanka this summer had proved to be a success.

Under the proposed system each side has three challenges per innings, with teams able to enquire about where the ball pitched or struck batsmen in the case of an lbw, as well as for catches.

A statement from the ICC said: "Following positive feedback, as well as positive support from within the CEC, it was agreed to look into extending the trial for further upcoming series with those series to be determined and confirmed in due course.

"It was further agreed that the ideal would be for as many umpires and teams as possible to be exposed to the trial to allow proper assessment of the system’s merits or otherwise."

Because the ICC want all teams to be exposed to the trial England are likely to get the chance to experience the potential new law either in their series against India before Christmas or when they tour the West Indies next March.

The original trial was due to take place during the Test series with South Africa this summer until both sides objected to the proposal.

Ironically there were a number of disputed decisions throughout the series that the new referral system could have helped with.

The final report to decide whether the referral system will become a law is expected in June next year and therefore could possibly be implemented before the Ashes series starts in early July.