Back-to-back three Test match wins. After losing the Hyderabad Test match, Team India make a remarkable comeback. After sealing the second and third Test match, they won the Ranchi Test too. But in the ongoing Test series, DRS has become a matter of discussion. After the fourth Test match, Michel Vaughan talked about this matter.
The ‘DRS’ Problem:
During the third Test match in Rajkot, a contentious moment unfolded when Zak Crawley was given out by the umpire. Upon review of the DRS footage, it was found that the ball narrowly missed the leg stump, leaving the England captain and his team confused. Stokes, expressing frustration at the disparity between the numerical evidence and graphics, sought clarification from match referee Jeff Crowe.
The controversy carried into the fourth Test in Ranchi, where Joe Root’s LBW dismissal came under scrutiny. According to the ball-tracking system, a significant portion of the ball was outside the line when it was pitched, raising doubts about the accuracy of the decision. While Root initially accepted the ruling, a subsequent review in the England dressing room hinted at lingering doubts.
The incidents in both Tests highlighted the challenges posed by umpiring decisions and the use of technology in cricket. As players and teams grapple with the nuances of the DRS system, instances like these underscore the need for clarity and consistency in officiating, ensuring a fair and equitable playing field for all teams involved.
Michael Vaughan’s Solution:
In response to the recent controversies, Vaughan suggests a solution: install cameras and microphones in the DRS room for transparency. Drawing inspiration from FIFA’s approach in football, he believes this step would boost accountability and integrity. Vaughan highlights social media skepticism about DRS decisions and emphasizes the need to address the growing distrust. By putting the decision-making process on display, cricket fans would gain insights into the technology and human input intricacies.
Michael Vaughan said, “It only takes one look at social media to see that a lot of people don’t trust it. There is so much anger and suspicion about decisions that go for or against certain teams. There’s suspicion about host broadcasters and who is in the truck. That is despite the technology companies not actually being from the same country as the host broadcaster. For instance, Hawk-Eye is a company from the UK but is being used in this series. They are just brought in by the host broadcaster.”
Later he added, “So here’s a simple solution to help improve transparency and accountability: stick a camera and microphone in the truck so as a decision is being made, we all know exactly what is going on, and how much humans are involved. And if you stick an ICC official in there as well we’d know that the integrity – something we talk so much about in the game – is intact. You could argue that those running the technology in the truck are as important as the two standing umpires.”
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