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The International Cricket Council (ICC) board rejected on Wednesday a recommendation to trial the process of allowing players three appeals per innings to the television umpire if they felt a decision made by an on-field umpire was incorrect during this year’s ICC Champions Trophy.

The trial, which had been recommended by a slender 6-5 margin at the ICC Cricket Committee earlier this year, was rejected on the basis of the impact it may have on the authority of the umpire and the ‘spirit of cricket’.

“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,” said the ICC President Ehsan Mani. “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.

England coach Duncan Fletcher had repeatedly spoken in favour of the ‘three appeal’ concept. But, for the time being at least, technology will only be used at the discretion of the on-field umpires.

Meanwhile, another decision from what will be a week of the ICC meetings in London, saw the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) also approved a series of recommendations concerning the issue of bad light in international cricket.

Research on the subject will be undertaken in Australia, England and Pakistan and pending the completion and review of that research, artificial lights can still be used in Tests.

Source:The News