Dear Trevor

From Cricinfo, Trevor Bayliss has this to say on the UDRS

"The question that's got to be asked is, why the referral system is being used in every other series barring this one, when the ICC said that it should be used after October 1," Bayliss said. "No one's explained to us yet why it's not being used when it's being used everywhere else in the world. If Dilshan was able to go and make a big score in the first innings, things might have been a bit different."

Now, this can either be seen as a valid point for the increased use of Technology in cricket ( and grist to the mill for more BCCI bashing) or sour grapes.

I am inclined to go with the latter. And not just because of my well documented antipathy to the increased use of technology in cricket (here and here).

In one of the "other series" where the UDRS is being used, at the end of the first day's play, both teams involved are unhappy with the referral system. This despite having the full complement of everything the UDRS has to offer.

Ricky Ponting is unhappy because "The Australia captain believed West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was caught behind on 38 during the opening day of the second Test. But the third umpire did not give him out.".

And the  West Indies are unhappy because "Chanderpaul was fired on the flimsiest of evidence from one camera shot when other angles were inconclusive and the "hot spot" replay failed to show a touch on the edge of the bat."

And for the record, Snicko indicated a sound in both incidents - the source of which remains unknown.

So not only is the technology in use unreliable, it is further compounded by the fact that  human error ( and human malice) has a huge role to play in the final result. So, not only can the technology in use produce erroneous results ( or be manipulated to produce said results) but you have the discretion of the third umpire to deal with AFTER the technology has delivered its verdict.


And who is to say that Sri Lanka would have benefited from the UDRS. For all I care, Prasanna Jayawardene would have never come close to the 154 he scored in the first Test at Ahmedabad had the technology been in play!

Does that answer your question, Trevor?

Cheers,

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When SMG says that Hayden’s success makes it “easier for the Pontings, Husseys” what does he mean – that David Hussey has a better chance to make the team? That Ponting’s kin can play at the highest level?

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