KEY POINTS:
New Zealand cricketers could soon trial a new system that allows them to appeal three contentious decisions in each innings to a TV umpire.
The appeal system - similar to line-call challenges now used in top-level tennis - is likely to be given a test run in March's national one-day final.
It's part of a wider trial run by the International Cricket Council, with an official launch at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in September, subject to ICC member countries supporting it.
Under the proposal, a batsman, or fielding captain, can appeal a decision, which is then referred to the TV umpire.
Two years ago, ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed and general manager of cricket Dave Richardson tried to implement a player appeal system but the test-playing member nations were split 5-5. Seven votes were required.
Countries have been asked to trial it and New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan confirmed that the State Shield final on March 2 is being considered for a test run.
Talks with Sky Sport are ongoing but it is an expensive exercise getting the necessary television equipment set up for a domestic game.
Dr Vaughan supports the idea, which was trialled in English county cricket last year. But it wasn't particularly successful, with players losing interest after a novelty period.
"You certainly don't want to see it overdone in terms of constant referral," he said.
"My impression is in England they started off questioning a few of the line-ball decisions. When none got overturned they stopped trying."
Dr Vaughan thinks TV appeals should be saved for significant controversial moments, and with a limit of three opportunities, teams would need to think before asking for a second opinion, rather than risk wasting a turn.
The idea is gaining more support following a couple of wretched umpiring decisions in Australia's second test against India, which ended in Sydney yesterday.
Australian batsmen Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds clearly benefited from dud umpiring calls - and Ponting was adjudged lbw after edging the ball into his pads.
The ICC's plan is only for ODI cricket at this point, and Dr Vaughan said there would be little point introducing it to the fast-paced Twenty20.
Mr Speed has said he doubts it would be introduced to test cricket. "Let's see if it works, then have the debate. I'm not concerned about the credibility of cricket. Generally there's a sense the decisions even themselves out. The dilemma is the technology has got better and what do we do with it?"
The ICC meet in Kuala Lumpur in March when the matter will be aired, but a final decision may be left until its next meeting in London in June.
