Broadcasters to air third-umpire discussions: ICC

Dubai, Nov 12 (IANS) In a bid to make umpiring more understandable to viewers, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Wednesday confirmed it would conduct a live-match trial where broadcasters will be permitted to air the decision-making communication between on-field and TV umpires.

The trial will be conducted in the forthcoming One-Day International (ODI) series between Australia and South Africa, starting Nov 14, where the host broadcaster, Nine Network, will put up the communication on air.

The conversations will be aired during referrals, consultations and Decision Review System (DRS) player reviews.

If the trial becomes a success, the ICC would consider extending the technology to select matches during the 2015 ICC World Cup.

“For years viewers have enjoyed seeing the same pictures as the TV umpire and making their own decisions during a referral or review. Now they will be even closer to the game, hearing what the umpire is saying when making those decisions,” Geoff Allardice, ICC general manager, Cricket, said in a release.