Nielsen concerned over referral sysytem

Sydney, May 8 (UNI) Expressing his concern over the ICC Cricket Committee's proposal for a challenge system on umpiring decisions during Tests, Australia coach Tim Nielsen said it may cause too many stoppages during matches.

''I just hope that we don't have big stoppages and regular conjecture about umpiring decisions on the back of technology being introduced,'' Nielsen told mediapersons.

''I just hope they don't get too silly with it. We need to be a bit careful that we don't jump headfirst in and go gung-ho the other way and make too many calls,'' he added. ''It means almost one-third of the wickets that you need to get a team out, you can contest, which seems like a high number to me.'' Nielsen, however, admitted that if the proposed system became successful, it may change the game for the better.

''If it's going to work, it's got to make the game better,'' he stated.

The ICC challenge system proposal was prompted by the controversies that cropped up during India's tour to Australia earlier this year.

West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor was barred from officiating in the series after some poor decisions during the Sydney Test that contributed to India's losing the match and falling behind 2-0 in the four-match series.

According to the ICC's cricket committee proposal, challenges on LBW decisions referred to the third umpire could be determined with the use of Hawk-Eye technology, but only to determine where the ball hits the batsman, and not the predicted trajectory of the ball.

Third umpires can already adjudicate on decisions like run outs and stumpings using video replays.

The new system could be introduced when England hosts South Africa in July.

UNI XC AB RKM BD1835