Hot Spot to be used in the final two Ashes Tests
The ICC’s General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, met with the representatives of the England and Australia teams and the ICC umpires in Durham on Wednesday to discuss the recent performance of the Decision Review System (DRS).
Mr. Allardice described the meetings as “very constructive”, with the teams and umpires reiterating their support for the DRS, and supporting the continued use of the Hot Spot technology in the final two Tests of the series that will be played at Chester-le-Street from Friday and at The Oval from 21 August.
“We acknowledge that the DRS has not performed as effectively during the past three Tests as it has in other series. The purpose of my visit was to meet with the teams to listen to their feedback, and to identify potential improvements to DRS moving forward.” said Mr. Allardice.
“It was very encouraging to hear both teams reiterate their support for the use of DRS. Some of the ideas that were suggested during the meetings could improve the system, and will be considered further by the ICC.”
Mr. Allardice confirmed that the performance of Hot Spot was discussed during the meetings.
“Hot Spot is an advanced technology that helps us to detect edges. It is conclusive – when there is a mark we know the bat has hit the ball. In working with the operator over several years, we know that the majority of edges are detected by Hot Spot, but there are occasions when a fine edge isn’t picked up.
“If there is no mark on Hot Spot, the TV umpire can use replays from different angles to see whether the ball has deflected off the bat, and he can listen to the sound from the stump-microphone to determine whether the batsman has edged the ball. Either deflection or sound can be used by the TV umpire to make his final judgment.”
Mr Allardice reiterated that the ICC was committed to improving the performance of the DRS.
“Technology is evolving. During the Old Trafford Test, we conducted a trial where a TV umpire accessed replays using a multi-channel monitor system with its own operator and recording device. The aim was to get more replay angles to the umpire, faster, so he will be able to make more accurate decisions and minimise delays to the game. The feedback from this trial has been very positive, and we now need to consider how this technology could be most effectively used as part of the DRS system.
“An ongoing area of focus for the ICC is the training of our TV umpires. Several simulation activities have been conducted over the past 12 months and our elite panel training seminar next month will include several activities aimed at delivering more consistent interpretations of the images and sounds provided to the TV umpire.
“All these activities are aimed at ensuring the DRS continues to deliver an increase in the number of correct umpiring decisions.” said Mr. Allardice.