Jury out on extended use of TV replays
Cricinfo examines the decisions made in the Super Test courtesy of TV evidence - plus one that wasn't
Andrew McGlashan
15-Oct-2005
The second day of the Super Test brought plenty of action for the third umpire. Under the new regulations being trialled during these matches, umpires can now refer lbw, catches behind the wicket and bat-pad decisions - along with the usual line calls - to the TV official. Cricinfo examines the decisions made courtesy of TV evidence - plus one that wasn't.
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Australia 1st innings - resumed on 331 for 6
Over 85.2 - Andrew Flintoff to Adam Gilchrist
The World XI needed early wickets to stop Australia progressing past 400 and Flintoff provided the perfect start with the second ball of the day. The delivery was full and swung back into Gilchrist, similar to his manner of dismissal in the last two Ashes Tests against the swing of Matthew Hoggard. It initially appeared plumb, and Darrell Hair confirmed the ball had pitched in line.
Decision: OUT - correct decision before the referral to the TV umpire
The World XI needed early wickets to stop Australia progressing past 400 and Flintoff provided the perfect start with the second ball of the day. The delivery was full and swung back into Gilchrist, similar to his manner of dismissal in the last two Ashes Tests against the swing of Matthew Hoggard. It initially appeared plumb, and Darrell Hair confirmed the ball had pitched in line.
Decision: OUT - correct decision before the referral to the TV umpire
World XI 1st innings
Over 4.5 - Glenn McGrath to Graeme Smith
Like Flintoff, McGrath also swung the new ball and set Smith up with a series of away swingers which almost found the outside edge. McGrath then got one to straighten on Smith, who was late in getting his bat down after initially shaping to leave. On first viewing, the appeal looked very close but the TV replays showed the ball had struck the back leg and would have carried on over the stumps. Despite the TV evidence, McGrath still huffed and puffed his way down to fine leg at the end of the over.
Decision: NOT OUT - TV decision proved beneficial
Like Flintoff, McGrath also swung the new ball and set Smith up with a series of away swingers which almost found the outside edge. McGrath then got one to straighten on Smith, who was late in getting his bat down after initially shaping to leave. On first viewing, the appeal looked very close but the TV replays showed the ball had struck the back leg and would have carried on over the stumps. Despite the TV evidence, McGrath still huffed and puffed his way down to fine leg at the end of the over.
Decision: NOT OUT - TV decision proved beneficial
Over 10.3 -McGrath to Brian Lara
Lara shuffled across his stumps and was struck in front of middle-and-off; the appeal looked very adjacent but Rudi Koertzen decided to use the TV to ascertain the height of the delivery. A couple of replays showed the ball was on target to hit the top of the stumps, although this is an example of a decision that could have been made much quicker. The longer a decision is scrutinised, the more doubt can be created - even when gut instinct is the correct decision.
Decision: OUT - Decision could have been made without use of TV replays
Lara shuffled across his stumps and was struck in front of middle-and-off; the appeal looked very adjacent but Rudi Koertzen decided to use the TV to ascertain the height of the delivery. A couple of replays showed the ball was on target to hit the top of the stumps, although this is an example of a decision that could have been made much quicker. The longer a decision is scrutinised, the more doubt can be created - even when gut instinct is the correct decision.
Decision: OUT - Decision could have been made without use of TV replays
Over 30.5 - Shane Warne to Inzamam-ul-Haq
The umpire's judgment on what decisions to refer was certainly put to the test with the spinners in action, and Warne is not shy at appealing. His second ball to Inzamam clipped the front pad before hitting the bat - the type of appeal that the on-field umpire will rarely give out because of the doubt about which was hit (bat or pad) first. The TV replays confirmed it was pad first and Darrell Hair took a long time reaching his decision, suggesting it was a close call. Eventually he told Koertzen it was missing the off stump, although Warne was still far from convinced.
Decision: NOT OUT - Standing umpires will not give these; neither, today, will TV.
The umpire's judgment on what decisions to refer was certainly put to the test with the spinners in action, and Warne is not shy at appealing. His second ball to Inzamam clipped the front pad before hitting the bat - the type of appeal that the on-field umpire will rarely give out because of the doubt about which was hit (bat or pad) first. The TV replays confirmed it was pad first and Darrell Hair took a long time reaching his decision, suggesting it was a close call. Eventually he told Koertzen it was missing the off stump, although Warne was still far from convinced.
Decision: NOT OUT - Standing umpires will not give these; neither, today, will TV.
Over 31.2 - Stuart MacGill to Inzamam-ul-Haq
A conventional decision for Hair this time, as Inzamam raised his foot and Adam Gilchrist produced a smart stumping. Just as Inzamam had gained the benefit of the new use of technology in the previous over, it was the original style third umpire decision that did him in this time. Some you win, some you lose. Although MacGill would have benefited from this use of the third umpire under the standard rules, he is excited about the prospect of being able to use replays for other appeals. "A wrist spinner can get a lot of extra decisions by referring to the third umpire. I really want to see whether this works because I think we can benefit immensely from it."
Decision: OUT - Standard use of TV replay
A conventional decision for Hair this time, as Inzamam raised his foot and Adam Gilchrist produced a smart stumping. Just as Inzamam had gained the benefit of the new use of technology in the previous over, it was the original style third umpire decision that did him in this time. Some you win, some you lose. Although MacGill would have benefited from this use of the third umpire under the standard rules, he is excited about the prospect of being able to use replays for other appeals. "A wrist spinner can get a lot of extra decisions by referring to the third umpire. I really want to see whether this works because I think we can benefit immensely from it."
Decision: OUT - Standard use of TV replay
Over 38.5 - Warne to Mark Boucher
This decision proved that even with all the technology at the umpire's disposal, you can't achieve perfection - umpires will still act on their instincts - and mistakes are still going to be made. Boucher played and missed at a legbreak, brushing his pad with the bat. The Australians went up in unison and Koertzen gave him out. Boucher left swiftly but was far from happy.
Decision: OUT - TV not used, but could have been.
This decision proved that even with all the technology at the umpire's disposal, you can't achieve perfection - umpires will still act on their instincts - and mistakes are still going to be made. Boucher played and missed at a legbreak, brushing his pad with the bat. The Australians went up in unison and Koertzen gave him out. Boucher left swiftly but was far from happy.
Decision: OUT - TV not used, but could have been.
Andrew McGlashan is editorial assistant of Cricinfo