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Umpire Decision Review System

Umpiring decisions have been a source of debate since the game's inception but it is only in recent times that the issue has heated up prompting the ICC to introduce the umpire review system.

Until 1993-94, both umpires in a test match belonged to the home country. The ICC felt their decisions were inconsistent at times and introduced a policy of having one neutral umpire from the elite panel. The policy was revised again in 2002 when it was decided that both umpires in a test match would not be from the host nation.

Despite being the best in the world, umpires have made glaring errors at times. Here we look at the biggest umpiring blunders in recent times which led to the introduction of the umpire review system.

England v India, 1st Test, Lord's, July 2007

England were denied victory in an intriguing test match after Sreesanth survived a huge appeal for LBW. Sreesanth planted his foot forward and missed an arm ball from Monty Panesar, who appealed vociferously and the on-air commentators had no doubt that the ball was going on to hit the stumps. Umpire Bucknor thought otherwise and India, 9 down at the time, were saved when Dhoni and Sreesanth accepted light a little while later. India went on to win the second test and eventually the series, 1-0. It was their first series win in England since 1986 and the wait would have been much longer if it wasn't for a little assistance from Umpire Bucknor.

England v India, 7th ODI, Lord's, September 2007

Trailing 3-1 in the 7-match series, India fought back well to set up an exciting decider at the home of cricket. But the game turned out to be a damp squib instead. Tendulkar and Dravid, the backbone of India's batting fell prey to dubious decisions as India managed only 187, which was chased down comfortably by the hosts.

Australia v India, 2nd Test, Sydney, January 2008

Australia found themselves in a precarious position after choosing to bat first, being reduced to 134/6 in quick time. Symonds, on 30, fished at one outside off and nicked one to the keeper. Everyone except Umpire Bucknor was convinced that the batsman had edged it and the reprieve proved costly for India. Symonds remained unbeaten on 163 as Australia amassed 463.

Australia v India, 2nd Test, Sydney, January 2008

Set a target of 333 in 72 overs in the fourth innings, Dravid steadied the Indian ship after a couple of early wickets. Dravid was judicious in his shot selection and looked in control of the situation. He had consumed 103 balls for his 38 when he played forward to an Andrew Symonds delivery, bat safely tucked behind pad and the ball brushing the knee roll on it's way to the keeper. Even with no part of blade visible, Steve Bucknor upheld a spirited appeal for the catch behind much to the batsman's disbelief.

Australia v India, 2nd Test, Sydney, January 2008

Ganguly, who along with Dravid had steered India to safety was also the victim of a controversial decision. Chasing a wide delivery, Ganguly slashed it into the slip cordon where Michael Clarke stooped low to take the catch. It wasn't clear if Clarke got his fingers under the ball but replays indicated that the ball had been grassed as Clarke tumbled to his left. Umpire Benson chose not to consult his partner at square leg or the third umpire but instead took Ricky Ponting's word for it. India slipped to 137/6 and had almost salvaged a draw before Clarke picked up 3 wickets in 5 balls to clinch a record-equaling Australian victory.

The second test will always be remembered for it's umpiring rather than the runs scored or the wickets taken. Wronged by the umpires in the second test after losing the first of the four tests, India's hopes of winning the series were shattered. India were hardly impressed by the standard of umpiring and asked for Umpire Bucknor to be removed from the next test.

While the element of human error enhances the eccentricities of the sport, the immense scrutiny that wrong decisions attract, especially the match-swinging ones, meant it was inevitable that technology would step in sooner than later.

What the players think

Jayawardene: "In general, the system will be good for the game as it will reduce the scope for mistakes. But you need to do it in a respectful way. The on-field umpires are human, after all. They do make mistakes, just as everybody else does, and we should respect that during the trial. We should be clear that the idea is only to reduce the mistakes."

Gambhir: "It will be nice to seek a review. Earlier, one bad decision used to take the game away from you but with this system in place, matches will be lot more interesting and close."

Steve Waugh: "Modern-day sport is moving more and more in this direction and if it works it will be great. If it doesn't detract too much from the game and the right decisions are given, it can only be a good thing.I'm willing to see how it works."

Tim Nielsen, Australian Coach: "We need to be a bit careful that we don't jump head-first in and go gung-ho the other way and make too many calls. I don't know how many times there have been three really dodgy decisions in an innings too often. It means almost a third of the wickets that you need to get a team out, you can contest, which seems like a high number to me."

Brad Haddin, Australia wicketkeeper: "In all honesty I like the umpiring set-up the way it is, you take the good with the bad."

Michael Kasprowicz, former Australian player: "Part of the beauty of cricket was that there was room for human error and sometimes it went your way, sometimes it didn't. It all evened out in the end. Today, with all the money invested in cricket, the shareholders are going to demand the right decision all the time. You don't pay $800 million for a cricket team to let an umpire's error ruin it for you."


Ishant Sharma appeals unsuccessfuly for the wicket of Andrew Symonds. Symonds admitted he should have been given out	Sourav Ganguly departs after some doubt over whether his catch carried to Michael Clarke.

Andrew Symonds is elated after having Rahul Dravid caught behind.