Haris Thesis: Review

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The Umpires Decision Review System (U.D.R.S) in Cricket is relatively new development. So far, no scientific research has been done on Umpires Review. Due to this problem, the researcher couldn’t find research articles or detailed studies specifically on the topic. Also, not many sports have technology aid for the match officials, in the decision making. So, for the purpose of review of literature, researcher used research articles on any technology that is used in the sports either in the decision making or for the broadcasting in television. The review of literature also includes the articles written by experts from the field on the topic.

The Umpire Decision Review System is a new technology based system currently being used on an experimental basis in Cricket. The system was first introduced in Test Cricket for the sole purpose of reviewing the controversial decisions made by the on-field umpires in the case of a batsman being dismissed or not. The umpire review system is also using in Tennis. It is an electronic review technology coupled with a point challenge system, which allows a player to challenge the line (chair) umpire’s call of a point.

Technology in Sports

Technology is vastly used by television producers to enhance the viewing pleasure of television audiences around the world. It is also using for improving the skills of players, coaches and officials. The coaching, in particular is making the use of technology efficiently, as it reduces the time consuming for coaching and physical strain experiencing by coaches. The use of technology is common in sports in improving the skills and analyzing the performance.

“The demands on the time and energy of coaches have created a pragmatic attitude towards innovations in coaching technology: the technology must produce a useful product or have a real world positive impact on coaching and sport. Technology is not regarded as an extravagance in today’s sport, instead any proposed technology advance must demonstrate that it has the promise to improve coaching and sport in practical settings”(Jenkins,2009,p.11)

Match analysis certainly have the potential to have  an impact on a variety of different features of performance   providing coaches ,players and in this case umpires, with valuable information that can be used to improve performance.

The TV replays are important part in the sport broadcasting. TV replays repeat the moments of peak of excitement in a match from multiple angles which is a familiar element in sports television. (Whannel, 2005)

In Cricket there are multiple different technologies that are available for producers to make use of for broadcast. The different technologies using in cricket in includes Hawk-Eye, Snicko Metre, Hotspot, stump cameras and stump microphones.

Hawk-Eye uses the visual images and timing data that is captured by six, strategically placed, fixed, high-speed cameras and is based on the principles of triangulation. These cameras track the ball from the release until its natural path ends. Up until the ball hits the batsman’s pads it is in essence an exact science.

“Through the captured data and a series of check and balances, the images are then transformed to a three dimensional image by sophisticated computer system and eventually displayed visually as a graphic in near real time. Successions of frames relayed from each camera build a story of exactly how the ball has travelled” (Haysman, 2008).

Umpires

Umpire is the person who has the authority to ensure that the rules of the particular game are obeyed and to make judgments about whether particular actions are acceptable. In a cricket match, two umpires are appointed, one for each end, to control the game as required by the laws with absolute impartiality.

“Umpiring requires a blend of skills and attributes. It includes concentration, good eye sight and hearing, physical and mental fitness and consistency apart from sound knowledge of laws.”(Tomsmith, 2004,p.17).

Umpiring is a demanding job. Umpires have to stand for long time in diverse weather conditions. They are also subject to player, spectator and commentator criticisms, especially decisions regarding Leg Before Wicket (LBW) .

“Any LBW judgment is further complicated by the fact that the umpire relies on a memory of imaginary lines joining the stumps at either end of the pitch. Unlike other ball games (for e.g.: Tennis, Badminton), there are no lines on the pitch to assist cricket umpire to make accurate LBW judgment” (South Gate, 2007)

In 1992, the International Cricket Council (I.C.C) introduced Third Umpire (T.V.Umpire), who makes decisions on questions referred to him by the on field umpires. Television replays are available to the third umpire to assist him in coming to a decision. The latest addition to the match controlling team was the Fourth umpire. His duties include supervision of ground including pitch, match balls and other duties laid down by Match Referee.

During the first half of 1990’s the concept of neutral umpires in international matches was adopted by I.C.C.As a part of that ,I.C.C. setup a panel of topmost umpires  to officiate as neutral umpires in International matches across the globe.

Umpires Decision Review System

This is an unique system introduced by International Cricket Council where the players can ask for a review on Out or Not Out decision of an umpire. The concerned umpire can review the decision with the help of TV umpire, who in turn have assistance of technology.

Views regarding the UDRS

The primary objective of UDRS is to reduce the umpiring errors in International Cricket. It will help to eliminate the obvious errors from the part of on-field umpires. It will also help to boost the confident of umpires as well as improve their skills.

 “ The system means on-field umpires can actually make decisions with more confidence, safe in the knowledge that if they made a mistake there is a way of addressing it so it will not adversely affect the match and creating lingering doubts in their own minds”.(Richardson,2009,p.6)

The technology aid in decision making makes the umpiring easier and to improve the standards. It is about arriving at the right balance between technology and the human element.

“ There is a theory that introduction of a third umpire, and now a fourth umpire, plus whiz-bang television replays, actually makes the task of the umpire considerably easier” (Tomsmith,2004,p.9)    

The system will help to increase the correct decision delivering by the umpires. Same time, as it is not a referral system, it is not undermining the duties of on-field umpires. The system is providing an opportunity for umpire to review his decision with the aid of advanced technological aid and arriving at a right conclusion.

“The fact that we can ensure more decisions is made obviously a major plus but just as positive is that the system does not remove the on-field umpires from the process. They are required to make the original decision and are not de-skilled in any way. It is a review system and not a referral system and so the on-field umpires cannot shirk their responsibilities to make decisions” (Richardson, 2009,p.6).

There have been some criticisms on the implementation of UDRS. Currently the system is using in Test cricket, provided there is a mutual agreement between the participating countries.          This provision shows a clear bias. Once a rule is implemented, it should be applicable for all.

                                    “To be honest, I'm a little surprised that both countries have to agree on its use in a series. A rule should either be mandatory or not exist at all. If bilateral agreement is essential, then why have the ICC debate over it at all? Teams don't have a choice on whether or not to use the LBW law in a match. The moment the governing body puts it into the rules and regulations, it applies to everyone. So too with the UDRS. If the ICC believes it is needed for cricket to progress, then everyone must toe the line. Alternatively, the cricket world says it is not ready for it and you wait till it is” (Bhogle, 2010)

Another drawback of this provision of bilateral agreement is that it denies the opportunity for players to make use of technology, in a match where the UDRS is not implemented. This will affect the statistics of players as well as the result of the match.

“Every Test series has to be played under the same set of laws and playing conditions. Firstly on the basis that there should be justice for all players, then for the integrity of Test cricket's statistics, and finally so the officials aren't made to look like right nongs” (Chappel, 2010).

The system is well into its third season and there has not been an agreement regarding its usage thus far .At present, the system is not mandatory in a series, unless there is a bilateral agreement.

The regulations cannot be ambiguous like this any further. If the authorities want to persist with this, they have to be clear in the implementation. So far, this is more of a suggestion than a rule or amendment of an existing law. Right now, it is too easy for anyone to go around it (Sudhir, 2010)

Currently, the review system relies mainly on the Hawk-Eye technology. But it required further technical assistance from other tools like Snicko Meter and Hotspot, to make it more accurate in process of decision making.

“The UDRS is incomplete without Snicko Meter and Hotspot. When the match was on, I noticed that the wicket-to-wicket mat on television takes too long to come on when a decision is challenged, and there were at least ten replays in one occasion, when there was an appeal for Leg before” (Kumble,2011)

The system helps the players to have an opportunity to challenge an umpire’s decision. This could also undermine the authority of umpires. According to different experts, it may badly affect the confidence level of an Umpire.

“I cannot help wondering how much of a confidence dent will be left on some of our ICC umpires when they begin to continually have decisions overturned. During the Ashes series(England-Australia Test Series-2010),we even saw the farcical situation of umpires Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar,generally acknowledged as two of the best in the game, doubting their ability to correctly call a no-ball”(Hair,2011,p.14)

Since its introduction, the review system has got remarkable media attention. There were controversial decisions in few test matches where UDRS applied. The UDRS was implemented in the ICC Cricket World held in 2011. Series of controversial decisions, despite of technological assistance highlighted the UDRS in media during the World cup.