ICC wants review system used at World Cup

The prospect of using the UDRS at next year's World Cup came a step closer after the ICC approved the implementation of the controversial system subject to agreements over costs and equipment between the broadcaster partner, ESPN STAR Sports, and the host nations. However, the use of UDRS in all Tests still seems a distant possibility after it was agreed to retain the current arrangement whereby the host country and visiting team decides.

The implementation of the UDRS worldwide has been inconsistent, and the ICC Cricket Committee, in its meeting at Lord's earlier this year, had recommended the system be introduced "as soon as possible in all Tests."

"The detailed work of the ICC Cricket Committee gave both the CEC and the ICC Board excellent direction and there was full agreement that technology would be used whenever possible," Haroon Lorgat, the ICC's chief executive said.

"We have all seen the benefits of using DRS to assist umpires in Test cricket and we are now keen to use DRS in the ICC Cricket World Cup. We also acknowledge and we are grateful for the support provided by broadcasters and technology suppliers around the world during the development phase of DRS."

The ICC and the ECB have also exonerated umpire Daryl Harper of any blame during the Johannesburg Test earlier this year. Harper landed in controversy after he turned down a caught-behind appeal against Graeme Smith which had been referred to him.

Harper upheld the on-field umpire Tony Hill's decision because he could not hear a sound on the replay and it was suggested that he had not increased the volume setting on his monitor which would have made the edge evident. However, the ICC has said a "technical failure" was the cause of the lapse.

"Following the issues raised with the DRS in the Wanderers Test match between South Africa and England in January 2010, the preliminary findings of Advocate Brent Lockie and ICC Cricket Committee chairman Clive Lloyd acknowledges that the technology failure at the time adversely impacted on the information received by the third umpire Daryl Harper while making his decision," the ICC said. "The ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board agreed that the third umpire in the match, Daryl Harper, was entirely blameless due to this technical failure."

Andy Flower, the England coach, was unhappy with officials at the time and suggested the outcome of the investigation wasn't quite what transpired. "I know what happened that day, because they told me," he said.

However, he remains a supporter of the system and has no issues with it being extended into the World Cup. "I think the DRS, in whatever format it is used, is quite useful - because we get more good decisions," he said. "I don't see why, if we give the same level of importance to all three formats, it is only Test cricket that should have DRS available."

In a bid to eliminate any inconsistency the ICC, in May, had decided it had to meet with all broadcasting companies in a bid to standardise the use of technology, and hosted a workshop earlier in the year.