Umpire Decision Review System

On this day, 12 years ago, ICC had tested the usage of Decision Review System, during the test match between India and Sri Lanka at SSC Ground. Cricket fans will definitely know, what is DRS System. But, for normal person ??

The name, Umpire Decision Review System, itself suggests the clear definition of the purpose. Till period of 90's, there were many clarifications needed to be given on umpire's decision. For example, a run out, at which there is confusion whether the batsman is out or not ?. Under these circumstances, on field umpires' decision matters the most. If he gives out, the batsmen should go out or if he gives decision as not out, he can stay. It is up to On field Umpires' Decision.

Interestingly, Tendulkar was given OUT, more than 27 times in International Cricket with wrong decisions. But, many raised questions on the uncertainity of the umpires' decision. Since 1992, there were TV replays. But, at 1997, Seenaka Weerarathna, a Sri Lankan Lawyer, suggested Player Referral Code. This took almost 11 years to implement the testing on field. 

The main purpose of bringing on the Decision Review System in practice, is just to correct the errors and improvising the game of cricket. This is seen as the advancement and evolution of cricket in modern day's practice. But, also, it shows the effectiveness of the usage of technology in sport. 

The system is so simple. Umpires go for third umpire referral, who would be seated in front of a giant TV screen. Those decisions are LBW ( Leg Before Wicket ), Run Out, Caught Behind, Some Close call catches, Obstruction of the field, Boundary reviews and close catches at the edge of boundary.

LBW decision is referred based on the provoking of either fielding team captain or the batters. Fielding team captain asks for a review to check the dismissal of the batsman over the LBW,  if originally, the decision were provided not out. Whereas the case is other way around for the batsman. Then on field umpire goes on to third umpire. But, there is a time period of just 15 seconds, until the team goes on to refer the decision. Same is the situation for caught behind. The signally is showing a 'T', either with both hands or with a hand and the bat.

There are situations where umpires go directly to refer decision. It is during the catches, at which the fielder claims it few inches above the ground. In other words, to check that whether the ball had bounced before the catch was claimed. But, at this situation, the umpire must give a soft signal, and the third umpires' work is to prove the incorrectness in the on field umpires' decision. Also, the umpire can review decisions over the close run outs, at whether the batsmen had reached his ground on time or not. Same is with the case of close call during four or six. At times, the ball hits the boundary, either very few inches before the boundary line or few inches after the boundary line. 

Third Umpires rely on few technological devices to refer a decision. Hawk Eye, used during LBW. It is a time where, if the batsman hides the stump with his leg, then comes Hawk Eye, at which it retraces the path, of the ball after hitting the batsman. Other than Hawk Eye, next is slow motion capture. Then snickometer or Ultra Edge device, which is used for detect the minute sound got from the bat during situations like caught behind. Then, hot spot views. At this situation, infrared rays are used to find whether the ball had hit the bat or not.

Likewise, these are used for uplifting the standards of cricket in modern day game. But, there are some controversies over these decisions, which is basically occurs when a new system comes in day to day practice.