FICA calls for mandatory Umpire Decision Review System for all Tests

Sydney, Aug 7(ANI): The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to implement the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) in all Tests.

FICA Chief Executive Tim May said that the review system was introduced to Test cricket primarily as a means of addressing the 'blatantly incorrect' decisions that were blighting the sport of late.

"FICA believes that it has been very successful at achieving that objective. Test cricket must be played on a consistent basis from country to country and from series to series," The News quoted May, as saying in a statement.

"It is unfair and confusing to players, spectators, broadcasters, sponsors and the fans watching at home on television, if one series is played under the URDS system and the next system without it."

"It must also be incredibly difficult for umpires to officiate from series to series without any continuity of the UDRS," he added.

May further said that his organization understands that some countries may have some funding issues with implementing the system, but it does not understand why the ICC has given the visiting team the discretion to reject the technology that the home Board will provide.

"The ICC needs to adopt a firm policy - it's either applicable in all Tests or none. Giving discretion to Boards to decide whether to use this system is an invitation for inconsistency and confusion and that's where we are at the moment," he said.

Under UDRS, each side is allowed two unsuccessful challenges to on-field decisions per innings, before they are barred from requesting a referral for the remainder of an innings.

However, in order not to delay the game, they must make it clear within 15 seconds of the umpire's original verdict whether they wish to call on UDRS or not.

The third umpire, assisted by various technological aids, then rules on whether to overturn an on-field verdict.

FICA represents player associations in Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. (ANI)