Animation Research Ltd

Tuesday July 29, 2008

Date released: 25 July 2008

On Wednesday 23 July, for the first time in the history of Test cricket, players appealed for decisions to be referred to the third umpire. The Test match in Colombo, between India and Sri Lanka (the first in a three match series) became the first ever in which batsmen and fielders had the opportunity to ask for the assistance of television replay’s. The players were not slow to take advantage of the new, trial ruling either. India captain, Anil Kumble became the first player to appeal a decision when India bowler, Harbhajan Singh appealed for LBW and was turned down by umpire Malinda Warnapura. Kumble turned to the third umpire, Rudi Koertzen and using Virtual Eyes Umpire Review, he agreed with his colleague’s rejection of the appeal.

Making history

However, later in the match Sri Lanka batsman, Tillakaratne Dilshan, made history with the first ever successful appeal. Dilshan was given out, caught behind off Zaheer Khan’s bowling. Again, third umpire Koertzen was called upon when Dilshan appealed the decision (by making a T shape with his arms) and this time the appeal was upheld and Dilshan remained at the crease. Both decisions may have a major impact on the outcome. Kumble’s unsuccesful appeal against Warnapura came with the batsman on 86. He went on to make 115. Dilshan’s succesful appeal may have swung the match in Sri Lanka’s favour. His reprive came with his score on just 1. He went on to score an unbeaten 125* as Sri Lanka declared their first innings on 600 runs.

Technology used

ARL’s Virtual Eye ball-tracking technology was used when this history making decision was being made, as it holds a pre-existing contract with the broadcaster, Ten Sports. The implementation in Tests comes after MCC’s World Cricket Committee recommended greater technological support for umpires, during its meeting in Cape Town in September 2007. The MCC has been the official consultant to the ICC in relation to the independent testing of technology.

Tony Lewis (Chairman of MCC’s World Cricket Committee), Mike Griffith (Chairman of MCC’s Cricket Committee) and Fraser Stewart (MCC’s Laws & Universities Manager), travelled to Colombo with Simon Normington, an independent television expert, to undertake the testing. They measured Virtual Eye’s accuracy under the scrutiny of Doug Cowie, ICC’s Umpires and Referees Manager, and the officials for the match – Rudi Koertzen, Mark Benson, Billy Doctrove and Alan Hurst (Match Referee).

Rahul Dravid, who sits on MCC’s World Cricket Committee, saw the technology for himself during the testing and was impressed by its accuracy.

Factual – not predictive

The technology will be used to confirm what actually happened – where the ball pitched and where it struck the batsman – but the predictive element, suggesting whether or not the ball would have hit the stumps, will not be used under ICC’s playing regulations. Each team will be allowed to make three unsuccessful reviews per innings. If a review is successful, the team retain that referral.

Tony Lewis said: “We are pleased to be putting our recommendations into practice. “It was important that Virtual Eye was tested independently and objectively – coming to Sri Lanka has enabled us to do that. “The standard of umpiring at Test level is so high we feel confident referrals will be few and far between, but it is right that, if a player does want to ask a question, the third umpire can have maximum confidence in the technology he has to make the decision. “We look forward to watching the match and gauging players’ and officials’ responses to the review system.”

Extracted from article published on-line at www.lords.org for more info on Virtual Eyes Umpire Review, contact

Troy McNeill, Head of Cricket troy@arl.co.nz or +64 3 479 9750.