Manjrekar, De Silva support umpire review system

Mumbai, Jun 23 (UNI) The umpire review system to be introduced by the International Cricket Council (ITC) for the first time on an experimental basis during the India-Sri Lanka Test series got a thumbs up from former Test cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Aravinda De Silva.

Manjrekar, who will be the anchor for Ten Sports during the Test and ODI series, to be played in Sri Lanka from July 23 to August 29, felt that whenever a third umpire is brought into the picture, there is enhanced interest among viewers at the ground and in front of the TV.

''The spectator interest rises whenever a decision is referred to the third umpire. Yes, there could be some slowing down of the proceedings, but I feel the bigger culprit is the dismal over-rates maintained by teams, which slows down the game a lot,'' the former India batsman said.

Former Sri Lankan batsman De Silva, who is a member of the interim committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket (Board), headed by his one-time skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, said if technological help is available for the umpire to take the correct decision, then it must be given to the officials.

''When you have a system in place to eliminate doubts (in the umpire's mind) we should make use of it, even if cuts down the pace of the game a bit, because you are playing with the careers of cricketers and their future,'' he said at the function to announce IDEA Cellular as the title sponsors of the series in the Emerald Isle.

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