ECB demands scrapping of 'controversial' umpire decision referral system

Sydney, Jan 18 (ANI): England has submitted a formal complaint and demanded scrapping of the umpire decision referral system after the Daryl Harper controversy in South Africa.

The big issue surrounds Harper's non-dismissal of Graeme Smith when he apparently edged Ryan Sidebottom to the wicketkeeper.

Harper defended himself on Facebook, but the ICC has ordered that "a full and comprehensive investigation is carried out of issues involving technology and the decision-review system" after England submitted a formal complaint.

England claims that the third umpire did not have the sound turned up on his feed to the stump microphone, therefore not hearing a clear noise that was picked up by television broadcasters, but Harper said it was a technical error and the sound engineer was to blame.

Yet before the issue has been settled, England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke has already called for the review system to be scrapped, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"Until the technology is applied correctly we are better off with our oldest method. If the umpire is as deaf as a post and as blind as a bat, at least it's the same for both sides," Clarke said.

England was desperate to claim Smith's wicket early. He was given the reprieve on 15, and went on to score 105.

"In the ECB and the England team management's view, the agreed protocol was not implemented and the sound was not turned up on review. As a result, a TV replay which indicated that bat had made contact with ball was heard by millions of television viewers but not by the match control team," an ECB statement said.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat defended the review system but conceded errors would inevitably be part of the initial set-up. (ANI)