GALLE (Sri Lanka): Rivals Pakistan and Sri Lanka united yesterday to demand mandatory video technology after several umpiring howlers in their First Test, placing themselves in opposition to India's powerful board.
The Decision Review System (DRS), which uses ball tracking and thermal imaging to verify umpires' decisions, was recommended for mandatory use by cricket chiefs on Monday, subject to member nations financing the technology.
But Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said he wanted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to pay for the technology if individual boards, such as his own, cannot afford to fund it when they host touring teams.
"The ICC must take it upon themselves to fund the system for the boards which cannot afford to, instead of leaving it to them to decide whether they use it or not," said Jayawardene.
The Galle Test, which Sri Lanka won by 209 runs on Monday, was marred by at least 12 contentious decisions by umpires Steve Davis of Australia and Ian Gould of England, with Pakistan suffering the most.
The ICC had previously made DRS mandatory for all series, but changed its stance last year following objections from the influential board in India, which accounts for the lion's share of global cricket revenues.
Mohammad Hafeez, captaining Pakistan in Galle in the absence of Misbah ul-Haq, said the uncertainty about the video referral technology should end.
"One thing I want to say is that it is time for the highest authorities to make a decision about the DRS," said Hafeez. "It should be made compulsory for every game." AFP
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