BCCI opposition to UDRS – irrational and unconvincing
Posted on August 2nd, 2016
Senaka WEERARATNA
UDRS
It is time that Cricket lovers of India join hands with the rest of the Cricket loving world to drive home to the rather rigid mind set of the controllers of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that their stance on opposing UDRSwithout good convincing reasons, make them appear ridiculous and silly in the eyes of all right thinking people.
Rules including cricket rules are there to serve a purpose and once it is abundantly clear that a new mechanism harnessing technology to achieve greater accuracy in umpire decision making is readily available, then the obligation of the controllers of the game is to embrace that new mechanism and apply it as part of the rules of the game.
The UDRS Rules which are primarily based on my ‘player – referral’ mechanism which I expounded for the first time in the world beginning in March 1997 (see letter to the Editor, ‘Australian’ – March 25, 1997) constitute that sensible approach. UDRS has reduced umpiring errors to a substantial degree through a correction using the Third Umpire and video replay based on player referral.
The point that it is not 100% accurate is not necessarily a sound logical basis to reject it. The Traditional Umpire system using field umpires exclusively without reference to a Third Umpire and video replay is not even 80% accurate.
This was clearly illustrated in the recent First Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan played in Galle without UDRS. It had altogether 12 umpiring errors (9 against Pakistan and 3 against Sri Lanka), vividly highlighted by video replays.
Must a system be 100% fool proof for society to embrace it? It never happens in other spheres of life. Aircraft, Locomotives, Motor Vehicles and the like all have an accident prone factor embedded in them. But we still use them. Progress is never measured by negatives. When merit far outweighs demerit as in the UDRS then there is a strong case for its application.
The obstinacy of the BCCI on this issue has caused irreparable damage to the cricket image of India and more importantly undermined the confidence that the cricket lovers all over the world can be expected to place on the BCCI in the context of India’s new found clout in international cricket and the wider international arena.
The conduct of BCCI on this issue is morally indefensible. It must respect the collective wisdom of the Cricket Boards of almost all the other Test Cricket playing nations which have unreservedly accepted the UDRS.
BCCI must accept the challenge to give leadership in international cricket based on universal perspectives rather than on narrow self – interest. It must begin by supporting UDRS which would be consistent with espousal of fair play and more importantly the spirit of cricket.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umpire_Decision_Review_System
http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/07/07/spo21.asp
Courtesy: Daily News
see also
Without DRS Technology the Test Lottery spins away from India
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Hegemonic Idiocy: BCCI and Dhoni on the DRS in cricket
by Michael Roberts
https://thuppahi.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/hegemonic-idiocy-bcci-and-dhoni-on-the-drs-in-cricket/
UDRS – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umpire_Decision_Review_System
When a person admired for qualities of sense, sensibility and intelligence adopts a position on a critical issue that is the height of irrationality and imbecility, it is both alarming and disconcerting. Such becomes the case for Mahendra Singh Dhoni when he reiterated India’s opposition to the fuller use of the DRS technology in adjudication. Insisting that human error” is an understandable facet of cricket, he went on to say: we have seen people being really happy with DRS in one series when it goes in their favour and then it doesn’t go in their favour, they’re quite unhappy about it. I’m quite happy with the two umpires in the middle, the third and fourth umpires, the match referee and the scorer. If that ball-counting error still happened, it’s better off accepting it, because as humans we are bound to make mistakes.”[i]
This has been the standard position adopted by Indian cricket’s governing body, the BCCI, over the past few years. Its present Chairman, Srinivasan, continues to insist that the ball-tracking technology is not fool-proof (Times of India 2012). As elaborated upon recently by Niranjan Shah, a former Board Secretary, the argument is that (a) DRS technology has not been subject to competitive bidding and has not been adequately tested by the ICC; (b) it is not full-proof; (c) it is extremely expensive. For this reason the human element must be preserved.”[ii]
This line of reasoning has been supported in various ways by Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly and Harsha Bhogle. So, MS Dhoni is just one cog in a long assembly of majestic vehicles servicing the Indian cricket establishment. Ganguly gave the game away when talking to the Times of India: Ganguly, who had played the series against Sri Lanka in 2008 when the DRS was first used on trial basis, said that the problems of the technology were extremely obvious as India could manage to get only one of their 20 referrals right.”
Precisely, say I in reference to the last phrase. That was as it should correctly be. It so happened that I watched most of that series with the benefit of a press pass which gave me views from up above and behind the wicket. The fact was that India succumbed to the combination of Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis in the two Tests they lost. As a new mystery weapon, Mendis snared 26 wickets during that series. A fair proportion of these outs were lbw; while in some cases the Indian referrals were denied because DRS confirmed the field umpire’s decision. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to understand why: Mendis bowls from close to the wicket and tends to keep his trajectory wicket to wicket. He foxed the Indian batsmen from time to time and got some batsmen bowled or lbw. Dravid’s amazed consternation when he was bowled at the SSC was a sight for any cricket buff.
One dismissal that graphically underlined the virtues of DRS is sharply etched in my memory camera: this was when Tendulkar, batting at the southern end of the SSC grounds, swept a ball from one of the spinners and under-edged it onto his leg from where it looped in an ark for Dilshan at leg-slip to take an athletic catch. No head umpire could have seen the course of the ball from his position; but all the pressmen behind the keeper could. When Sri Lanka referred the decision to the third umpire, he reversed the on-field call. Tendulkar had to march off (reluctantly). Justice was served.
India’s dismay over the results from the DRS in this their first experience was exacerbated by the fact that their use of referrals was quite ha handed. Losing the series two to one did not help their temper or, it seems, their mental acumen on this issue.
Grapevine gossip indicates that Tendulkar is among the Indian cricketers who are adamantine in their hatred of the DRS. Another vein of information from MCC committee chambers remarks that Tendulkar has for long perfected the art of padding the ball with bat alongside. The DRS system threatens this subtle bending of the cricketing rules. In commenting on one of Bhogle’s essays on the topic, a perceptive blogger named Ahmad Uetian, had this to say:
1) modern coaches teach batsmen to defend with bat in front of the pads and lot more modern day batsmen are using this technique……………………2) Earlier batsmen would come on front foot and would play spinners virtually with their pads and conventional umpires would never give batsman out lbw in case of sppiner (sic) bowling and batsman playing on front foot but now umpires give such outs. 3) Now Umpires like Simon Toufel and Aleem Dar who give higher percentage of lbw decisions are in ellte (sic) panel earlier good umpires were supposed to never give lbw….”[iii]
Tendulkar may be a legend in many eyes. His obduracy on DRS reduces this status in my eyes. Gods must be pure.
Remarkably a number of Indian reporters also remain hostile to the DRS. To my dismay, Sambit Bal, whose analytical writing I have always admired, displayed this antipathy when we met socially in the Fort of Galle n 2008. A young female journalist from Mumbai presented a similar face in parrot-like fashion when I raised the topic at Adelaide Oval the other day.
Counterpoint: Every student of cricket knows that on-field umpires make mistakes. Some of these errors can turn a game in favour of one side. Such an outcome is criminal. The introduction of DRS adjudication has reduced these errors without eradicating them. A recent study by the ICC of decisions during the World Cup indicated that verdicts were improved by more than seven per cent.[iv]
In other words, by insisting on the status quo, Dhoni, BCCI and company are stating that they prefer a more deficient scheme of things to that which is better albeit not perfect. … so that, say, 85-89 per cent accuracy is preferred to 93-95 per cent accuracy. Ramesh Thakur, an Indian no less,[v]got to the nub of the issue in pithy terms:
In rejecting the use of the best available technology to assist umpires and rectify the few mistakes they make, the BCCI has also shown itself to be a dinosaur. In effect, the BCCI position is: technology cannot guarantee 100 per cent accuracy, so we will stay with 80 per cent accuracy rather than move to 90 per cent.”
This means that Dhoni is among the dinosaurs on this particular issue. The fossilized character of those who defend the status quo is underlined by the specious forms of reasoning that they bring to this debating table. Nasser Hussain is jealous of India’s success,” said Shastri when Hussain castigated India for rejecting DRS in its fullest form. The DRS is not bigger than the game” and should not submerge cricket argues Bhogle, wielding a grandiose cliché that is no less a smokescreen because of its elevated airs.
Demanding scope for the continuation of human error” is a conservative, diehard reaction that is as idiotic as it is specious. Can anyone sustain such an argument when reviewing the processes utilized for the maintenance of aircraft or the training of pilots? Certainly, the tracking technology within DRS needs to be continuously tested by skilled teams (and Tony Greig indicated that Cambridge University is pursuing a fresh testing at this moment). Likewise, the technological teams at each match should be monitored in order to (a) ensure standardization cross series/matches and (b) to prevent home-side bias and/or dishonest manipulation of mats and replays. Such fine-tuning does not negate the obvious superiority of the DRS system in reducing the number of on-field mistakes.
The arguments trotted out by Indians attached to the status quo are as specious as they are imbecile. Both collectively and individually they can be tarred with a whole array of adjectives: one-eyed, prejudiced, irrational, obdurate and dogmatic.
Unfortunately the BCCI is also powerful. It has secured a hegemonic position in the cricketing universe. It is a standing indictment of the present ICC that it permits this Leviathan to bully the show and subject cricketing results to human error that could be obviated. The beauty of cricket is in its topsy-turvy character; but such vicissitudes should emanate from the hands and feet of the players not the fingers and nods of the umpires.
ADDENDUM:
An old friend sent me an email note indicating that I should outline proof” before essaying such strictures. Let me note in response that apart from (a) a reference to the ICC estimate on World Cup DRS effecting a seven per cent improvement (B) one anecdotal observation on my part referring a peculiar dismissal (that of Tendulkar at the SSC), I assumed that (c) cricket fans who read my article would be less than imbecile and would be guided by their observations of referrals during both test matches and ODI matches where the DRS was in operation.
Thus, on several occasions I have observed on-field decisions being reversed by the on-field umpire after the Third Umpire has used the available technology to evaluate the evidence. These reversals, note, have gone two ways: (X) when someone declared not out” is deemed out; and (Y) when a batsman declared out” is reprieved. In brief, in the course of a series several human errors” by on-field umpires have been rectified via DRS, the Third Umpire and some dialogue between the head umpire and Third Umpire.
In other words, on every such occasion a mistake that may well have swung the game one way has been averted. This is a momentous GAIN.
I have not kept count of such reversals. If any readers can provide statistics it would be appreciated. In any event I invite reader recollections and commentary on this point. Anecdotes with empirical precision can aid our evaluations.
Let me add that, from snatches of information, my impression is that most of the younger generation umpires actually welcome the use of the DRS because they are as interested as anyone in getting it right; and because such reversals are outnumbered by the (proportion of instances where the on-field decisions are confirmed (am I correct here?). That is, where several old school umpires such as Dickie Bird and Darrell Hair object to the DRS, those still active are partial to it. One reason for this leaning is the fact that DRS has also revealed how well they are performing a difficult job.
The paragraph above is attentive statement based on grapevine threads. I would appreciate any information that rectifies or clarifies this issue.
Third Umpire: On the odd occasion the human error” is that committed by the Third Umpire. If my recollections are correct, Asad Rauf was in serious error in overturning an on-field decision and declaring Chanderpaul out in a Test Match at Adelaide at one stage during the last Windies tour. Again, I believe one of Daryl Harper’s decisions in the West Indies created a great stir and alienated the England squad against the DRS. Again, my dim memory indicates that Harper was responsible for a Third Umpire bloomer on another occasion.
Such errors by Third Umpires are inexcusable because they have more time to reach a decision. This type of mistake is not the fault of the DRS scheme, but is a product of ”human error.” We are aware of such howlers because the TV commentators also have the evidence before them and provide their views. Third Umpires who make such errors should be demoted (though I would not impose such a harsh act on Bruce Oxenford for pressing the wrong button in Michael Hussey’s case recently at the Gabba).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
UDRS – Wikipedia= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umpire_Decision_Review_System
Authorship of the UDRS= http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2013/01/31/authorship-of-the-umpire-decision-review-system-udrs-a-plea-for-reparative-justice/
https://www.google.lk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Umpire+Decision+Review+system+and+Senaka+Weeraratna
The field umpire’s immunity limits appeal rights
http://www.island.lk/2003/03/21/sports08.html
ICC to implement Lankan lawyer’s concept?
http://www.nation.lk/2008/01/13/sports1.htm
Lankan lawyer challenges ICC on origin of UDRS
http://www.nation.lk/2010/06/13/sports4.htm
Will the UDRS be proved a good thing?= http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/499969.html
Point-blank: It’s never too late = http://www.nation.lk/edition/columns/point-blank-saadi-thawfeek/item/7031-point-blank-it%E2%80%99s-never-too-late.html
Anon 2011 The BCCI on DRS,”http://cricketingview.blogspot.in/2011/06/ bcci-on-drs.html
Gavaskar, Sunil 2011 DRS Technology still not 100% accurate,”http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/521352.html
NDTV Correspondent 2011 England are jealous of India, says angry Ravi Shastri,” http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/176511-england-are-jealous-of-india-says-angry-ravi-shastri
Thakur, Ramesh 2012 Poor Governance in Indian Cricket and Indian Politics,”https://thuppahi.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/poor-governance-in-indian-cricket-and-indian-politics/
Times of India 2011 BCCI not wrong to refuse DRS, says Sourav Ganguly,” 27 Dec. 2011, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-in-australia/top-stories/BCCI-not-wrong-to-refuse-DRS-says-Sourav-Ganguly/articleshow/11269081.cms.
Times of India 2012 BCCI stand on DRS has been vindicated, says Srinivasan,” 13 Feb. 2012,http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/BCCI-stand-on-DRS-has-been-vindicated-says-Srinivasan/articleshow/11873162.cms
[i] In the Island, 16 Feb. 2012: Dhoni not fazed by five-ball over after tie.”
[ii] Anon 2011 The BCCI on DRS,” http://cricketingview.blogspot.in/2011/06/ bcci-on-drs.html
[iii] See http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/521352.html.
[iv] Tom Pilcher, DRS in cricket…to use or not to use?”http://blogs.reuters.com/sport/ 2011/12/27/drs-in-cricket-to-use-or-not-to-use/
[v] Ramesh Thakur is Director, Centre for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament, at the Australian National University.