Umpire review system gets green signal

The ICC Cricket Committee concluded its two-day meeting at Lord's on Tuesday agreeing to recommend a phased roll-out of the umpire decision review system (UDRS) in Tests from October 2009.

The recommendation followed consideration of the results of trials of the system over the previous nine months.

It agreed the concept of day/night Test cricket should be explored with the possibility of a trial match in 2010 providing key factors were established beforehand. These factors included successful tests of an appropriate colour ball, a clear indication that day/night Tests were what stakeholders wanted and successful trials at first-class level.

The committee also agreed to recommend stricter penalties for players and captains guilty of failing to maintain an acceptable over-rate. Host boards, umpires and match referees should also take responsibility for ensuring that everything within their control was done to ensure over-rates remained as high as possible.

The committee felt that the UDRS did not have a negative influence on the pace of the game while bringing down the number of incorrect umpiring decisions.

The committee also agreed that the process needed some fine-tuning and that it was important for umpires to receive further training on the same.

The committee will receive an updated report at next year's meeting.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: "I'm excited that the committee concluded that the umpire decision review system had a positive effect on the game.

"It reduced the number of incorrect decisions and also cut down on the instances of player dissent.

"The committee's recommendation will now be taken forward to the ICC Chief Executives' Committee and the ICC Board and if both those groups agree then we will seek to roll out the system from October 2009.

"The time ahead of that date will allow us to firm up the playing conditions, technical specifications and protocols, ensure additional training for match officials and further brief the players so that the process can be successfully implemented."