KUMAR SANGAKKARA ANGUISH OVER THE INCOSISTENCY OF DRS
Former Sri Lankan legendary batsman Kumar Sangakkara expressed his anguish over the Decision Review System (DRS), after England batsman Jonny Bairstow survived a mighty close call for the leg before wicket on Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s. Johnny Bairstow, who was on 56, at that time, went on to make an unbeaten 107 as England ended the first day with the slightly upper hand at 279/6.
The legendary left handed batsman took to twitter to express his concern over the inconsistency of Decision Review System, In a series of tweets done by Sangakkara, he suggested that the rule should be changed.
High time the ICC got rid of this umpires call. If the ball is hitting the stumps it should be out on review regardless of umps decision.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 9, 2016
The Umpires call makes a good review useless. It should be out or not out on review. Otherwise it becomes a bit of a farce
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 9, 2016
With The Umpire's call technology is used as an excuse for the umpire making a mistake. Technology should ensure the correct decision's made
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 9, 2016
The result of a review should not be ambiguous. We can't say it's hitting the stumps but we give the benefit of the doubt to the umpire
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 9, 2016
If the umpire wants a comfort zone give him a margin of 20%. If anything more of the ball is hitting it his decision can be overturned.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 9, 2016
Yesterday Sri Lanka frustratingly lost one of their two reviews available due to the unsuccessful challenge. However, the benefit of the doubt given to the batsman in the Decision Review System could soon be reduced by half. Currently, 50 % of the ball has to be striking the stumps for a batsman to be given out lbw and overturn a not-out verdict by the on-field umpire. Mahela Jayawardene, who is now part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) cricket committee, revealed that a recommendation has been made to change the DRS rule for LBW.
“We’ve decided that the 50 percent rule should be reduced to 25 per cent, You think benefit of the doubt when sometimes umpires are considering those margins, that 25 percent is okay, but I think 50 per cent is too much.” Jayawardene quoted saying by ESPNcricinfo on Thursday.
All the recommendations by the cricket committee will be discussed at the ICC’s annual meeting in Edinburgh later this month and if approved, then the DRS rule will be reduced from 50 percent to 25 percent and is expected to come into effect by the end of September.