ICC rejects player appeal trial

LONDON, July 5 (Reuters) The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected today a recommendation to allow players to appeal against decisions to the third umpire.

A proposal had been put forward to trial a system where players would be allowed three appeals per innings to the TV umpire if they felt a decision made by the on-field umpire was incorrect during this year's ICC Champions Trophy in India.

The trial was rejected because of the impact it may have on the authority of the umpire.

''The reservations expressed by the Cricket Committee when they recommended the player appeal measure were mirrored to a much greater degree by the ICC Board in its rejection of the concept after extensive deliberation,'' ICC president Ehsan Mani said in a statement.

''The board was concerned about the impact of the trial on the spirit of cricket and the effect it might have on the integrity of umpiring at all levels.

''It was also felt the ICC Champions Trophy was too high profile an event at which to undertake such a trial. As such, further discussions will now take place to see whether the concept can be tested at domestic level.'' Reuters DH VP0158