Image courtesy of: The Metro
“My opinion is that if the technology isn’t perfect, it shouldn’t be used at all”
Australia captain Michael Clarke has questioned the usefulness of the Decision Review System (DRS), stating that instead of doing some good, it only seems to “distort the process”.
Clarke added that he does not want the Hot Spot technology implemented in the upcoming Ashes series, especially after all the nuisance and controversy it caused during the last series in July to August.
“The referral system – where captains have two unsuccessful referrals at their disposal – can distort the process,” Clarke wrote in The Ashes Diary, which is a firsthand account of his recent Ashes series in England. “I don’t like the tactics involved, where umpires and the teams know how many referrals are left, and change their decisions accordingly. It should be consistent for all players.”
Clarke stated that the biggest controversy of that series was when England pace bowler Stuart Broad refused to walk, despite clearly having edged the ball to the slips off the bowling of teenage sensation Ashton Agar in the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.
“The ultimate problem with the Broad ‘dismissal’ in Nottingham wasn’t that he didn’t walk, or that the umpire had made an error – it was that the complicated DRS rules meant the third umpire didn’t have the opportunity to overrule the on-field decision,” Clarke said. “I believe that if it’s clearly shown that the batsman hit the ball and he was caught, then the technology should be used to ensure he is out.
“If he’s hit in front of the wickets and the technology shows he is lbw, he should be out, regardless of how many referrals remain.
“As a captain, I’d just like the technology to be used to make more correct decisions, without all the complications of how many referrals remain or don’t remain. There shouldn’t be a numerical limit. If this means passing referrals back into the hands of the three umpires, on and off the field, then so be it. My final word on the matter – if technology, and the use of technology by the umpires, continues to be as inconsistent as it has been in this series [in England], I would rather it is not used at all.”
However, Clarke noted that he would be open to reusing Hot Spot if significant improvements were to be made.
“My opinion is that if the technology isn’t perfect, it shouldn’t be used at all,” he wrote. “The inventor and owner of HotSpot [Warren Brennan] came out and admitted it doesn’t pick up all nicks. Ok, that’s fine: HotSpot should not be used until it is more reliable.
“Once the technology has been tested and is shown to be correct, then the ICC should rule that every team has to use it. We should have the same rule for everyone.”