Legacy of umpires under threat!

Change is inevitable goes the cliché .The game of cricket has certainly seen lots of these in the recent past .But the one that will have a lasting impact would be the present proposal of reviewing a decision of the on field umpires .Prima-facie , it may look promising and with all the right intentions. However in the longer run it might just clip the powers of the umpires world over, if the trialing of the Umpire decision review system is successful

It is needless to mention the scrutiny the modern umpire is subjected to, with the stakes high as never before .Interestingly the need for the change gathered momentum with the infamous decisions against the Indian side, in the tour down under .India went on to loose the series

.

The system, to be tested in this year's Sri Lanka v India three-match Test series starting on July 23, will allow the fielding and batting sides three unsuccessful appeals to the umpire per innings to change a decision if it is perceived to have been incorrect. The on-field umpire will consult with the third umpire, who will review available television coverage of the incident before relaying fact-based information back to his colleague. Slow-motion replays, the wicket-to-wicket "mat", sound from stump microphones and ball-tracking technology up to the point of impact on the pad will be available for use by the television umpire.

Sure, the game is being taken to new level, with the aid of technology with certain sects advocating if the technology is there then why not use it. Does it mean premature death of the umpire as the discretionary authority on the field?

As they say, the umpiring decisions gone in favour or against evens out in the longer run. The stoppages resulting from the referral will slow down the game .The next question is whether technology is always foolproof?Notably, the LBW decisions which are corroborated by Hawk eye technology do not take into account the playing conditions , bounce .At best ,it is a guesstimate of the trajectory of the ball hitting the pad .If this is not enough , it does not factor the swing of the ball .Then ,there are cases in which doubt still lingers on the legitimacy of a catch , because of the optical illusion, even the slow motions are inconclusive .The game would be bereaved of moments , when a plumb LBW appeal would be turned down , a non existent nick being adjudged out on a crucial juncture of the game .The umpires who are the protagonists to the drama surrounding all these will be cornered .

Time will tell, with all the intent with which ICC has brought the use of technology will take the game to a next level or reduce the status of the umpires.