ICC defends umpires and review system after errors

The use of technology in cricket came under scrutiny in light of controversial decisions made against both sides, while there was also debate about the consistency of umpiring. However, of the 72 decisions on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena and third man Marais Erasmus had to make, the ICC pinpointed seven errors had been made during the match.

Three were uncorrected decisions – the first of which was where the technology was at fault in England’s second innings for Jonathan Trott being given lbw when he was originally given not out and two against Stuart Broad when Australia had no reviews available – while four decisions were corrected by DRS.

Therefore as a result of technology being used, the correct decision percentage rose from 90.3 per cent to 95.8 per cent.

ICC chief executive David Richardson said: “The umpires did a good job under difficult conditions. However, like the players, umpires can also have good and bad days but we all know that the umpire’s decision, right or wrong, is final and must be accepted.

“While the ICC has complete faith in the ability of its umpires, our confidence in technology is also strengthened by the fact that there was an increase in the number of correct decisions in the Trent Bridge Test through the use of the DRS.

“Technology was introduced with the objective of eradicating the obvious umpiring errors and to get as many correct decisions as possible. If it can help increase the correct decisions by 5.5 per cent, then it is a good outcome, but we must continue to strive to improve umpiring and the performance of the DRS.”