Cricket: NZC sticks with umpire-review system

NZ’s test series against Pakistan will use the umpiring-review system. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand's three-test series against Pakistan starting next week will use the umpiring-review system.

Complications over who should pay for the system - officially known as the Umpiring Decision Review System (UDRS), under which each team is allowed a limited number of appeals against an initial umpiring call - and whether the technology would be available, had held up a decision.

However New Zealand Cricket last night confirmed Dunedin-based Animation Research would provide ball-tracking technology in the series, which starts at Dunedin's University Oval on Tuesday.

The system is not universally popular. The England-South Africa test series starting on December 16 won't be using it. England are firmly against the idea; South Africa have said they aren't in favour of it.

India refused to use it for their series against Sri Lanka, which began in Ahmedabad this week.

However NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan is a fan and he believes most major test nations support the system in principle.

"This will be the first series in the international calendar to use the new [UDRS] - it's an important advance for international cricket," Vaughan said. "We're also delighted that a Kiwi company will be the first to pioneer the ball-tracking technology."

The UDRS allows the third umpire to use ball-tracking or other available technology to review decisions requested by players. Each team are allowed two unsuccessful player review requests per innings - one less than last season's home series against the West Indies.

New Zealand lefthander Daniel Flynn had the dubious honour of being the first player dismissed by a third umpire's involvement under the method, lbw to West Indian captain Chris Gayle for 95 in Dunedin.

At the end of the series, Gayle spoke out strongly against the system; New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori felt three were too many appeals.

The International Cricket Council believes each country's boards must work with their host broadcaster to cover the finances; boards feel the governing body should stump up.

The ICC appears resigned to a difficult path to getting general acceptance for the UDRS. "If the ICC pays, then all members will be sharing the cost to provide someone else's series," ICC general manager of cricket Dave Richardson said.

"We're going to have to fight through it. We have to rely on members to persuade their broadcast partners of the merits of this. It is good for the game."