ICC clarifies position on Sri Lanka umpire referral proposals

The ICC wishes to clarify media commentary suggesting that it has rejected a request from Sri Lanka to allow on-field umpires to refer certain decisions to the third umpire.

Sri Lanka did forward a request in August 2000 asking that lbw and bat/pad decisions be considered for referral to the third umpire. It was informed that as this would constitute a fundamental change to the decision-making process it was not a proposal that could be decided by the umpires' meeting.

At no time has the ICC rejected this proposal and it has informed Sri Lanka to this effect. The matter should go forward to the appropriate decision-making body, which is the Cricket Committee-Playing (CCP) chaired by Sunil Gavaskar.

CCP is due to meet at Lord's in May to undertake a three-year review of the Standard Playing Conditions for international cricket. This will include a review of the use of technology in umpires' decision-making and will consider proposals from all or any ICC member countries, including Sri Lanka. Any decisions taken at the meeting would come into effect from 1st September 2001.

"There is a clear and well defined process in place for the review of playing conditions. Therefore it would be inappropriate for the ICC to make ad hoc decisions on issues as important as umpiring and technology, without giving all members the opportunity to put forward their views and to reach a consensus decision," explained ICC Chief Executive David Richards.