Cricket needs more technology for umpiring decisions

Cricket coverage these days provides great slow-motion replays, and the recent introduction of "hot spot" replay, "snicko" and extra-slow-motion replay has certainly allowed the viewer to see cricket in a new light. But it has also highlighted the gross ineptitude of cricket UMPIRES in this game. We really need this advanced technology to be used in making sound umpiring decisions, or atleast helping the umpires make correct decisions.

The "conservative" folks of this game say that umpires are humans and they make mistakes just like batsmen and bowlers, and therefore should be acceptable. I think that is ridiculous!! The umpires are supposed to "rule on the plays of a game"... it is their job get it RIGHT. If technology can provide a better way of making decisions, or can support more sound decision-making, then it is imperative that the game of CRICKET use what is available.

Besides, no spectator wants to watch an umpire make mistakes. They do want to see batsmen, bowlers, and fielders make mistakes, because that is part of the entertainment the game provides. There is no other sport in my mind that lets go so many bad umpiring decisions to "human" error.

I right this blog on the 5th day of the India-Australia Test Match being played at Sydney Cricket Ground. Steve Bucknor has made so many errors in the Test match, it is not even funny!! He gave Dravid out caught behind as it flicked the pad when the ball was no where near the bat.

Given today's technology available in every cricket match, it is imperative that cricket introduces some sort of a CHALLENGE system akin to NFL and Grand Slam Tennis tournaments. In this system, the captain from either side has 2 (or 3) challenges, and can use it if he wants to question a decision of the umpire. Only if there is conclusive evidence from replays to over turn the decision, should the decision be overturned. If the challenge over turns the decision then it should not deduct the number of available challenges.

As a spectator, I do not pay my time or money to watch umpires make mistakes. As far as I am concerned, given the available technology, it is just NOT cricket to not use it!