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American diva Toni Braxton probably doesn’t follow the cricket.

Braxton, steaming in from the Cathedral End.

And she almost certainly wasn’t thinking about the umpire decision review system when she sang “It’s not right, but it’s ok”. You’ve got to hand it to her though - she hit the nail on the head.

It isn’t right. Not 100 per cent.

There will continue to be controversies whenever it is used, mostly over caught behind appeals.

As Shiv Chanderpaul’s decision on Friday showed, a thin edge can frequently be difficult to detect on replays.

A deviation may occur, but that might be natural swing.

Hot spot is superb – but only as long as the batsman obliges by showing us hit outside edge.

So while some decisions will be overturned, there will be a few where the third umpire simply doesn’t feel he has enough evidence to embarrass his mate out on the field.

What that means is batsman will get away with an edge from time to time, and bowlers will occasionally pick up a cheap one.

In that sense, nothing has changed. We’re back to square one. But the system is ok.

Chanderpaul’s decision was so marginal – and whichever way it went, there would have been criticism – that it would be wrong to use it to damn the whole system.

It isn’t designed to deal with every touch-and-go decision.

Its intention is to help eliminate the kind of umpiring howler that has all fans demanding the instant sacking of the blind clown who has his finger in the air.

I’m talking about Simon Katich getting out to a no-ball in the Lord’s Ashes test this year, or, later in the same game, Mike Hussey being given out caught at slip when he didn’t edge it.

Those were decisions that potentially swung the match and could easily have been over-turned by a referral.

As long as sides don’t burn their appeals when they are acting more in hope than expectation, you’d expect this system to save us from those shockers in future.

(As an aside, it would be good to mic up the conversation between the umpires when a decision is overturned:

“Good God, Rudy, you’ve made an absolute hash of that one. Your days are numbered, son.”)

Of course, there are arguments about human error being part and parcel of sport.

But I don’t see what harm is done by acknowledging that and allowing technology to step in when us humans come up short.

I’m also not having a bar of the claim that video referrals waste time – as I write, Australia and the West Indies are competing in a match that started 78 hours ago.

Time, in cricket, is rarely of the essence.

So no, Ms Braxton, the latest attempt at video referrals is not completely right.

But if it helps umpires cut out the clangers, and allows us to continue enjoying this wonderful, wacky sport with slightly less controversy, then for my money, it’s ok.

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7 comments

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- Dan says:
  
  06:42am | 11/12/09
  
  It’s about time that all sports (are you reading this FIFA and AFL?) introduced video replay. There are ways to make sure it goes quickly, such as limiting appeals, but we shouldn’t allow human error to occur when we can prevent much of it.
  
  Reply
- Jason Ealey says:
  
  07:44am | 11/12/09
  
  ummmmm you might know a bit about cricket but maybe not pop culture and music diva. Whitney sang “Its Not Right But Its OK” not Toni Braxton.
  
  Reply
- Simple Symon says:
  
  07:57am | 11/12/09
  
  I think you’ve summed up the whole situation perfectly. The game can only benefit from the technology and the limited number of appeals permitted ensures that there aren’t going to be countless stoppages and frivolous appeals. They just have to ensure that they don’t allow some pedant in the chair who looks at the video 20 times, from 20 different angles before making their mind up. All sports where possible should utilise the technology and this claptrap from FIFA about not using it because only the wealthy can afford it, then at least use it in the prestige competitions. If that means not using it in the World Cup qualification rounds fair enough, but that shouldn’t prevent it from being used in the finals.
  
  Reply
- Gavin says:
  
  09:22am | 11/12/09
  
  We need to look at exactly what it is we are asking from the referral system. If we are asking for 100% infallibility 100% of the time, then unfortunately we are going to be disappointed with it. We have to look at its actual purpose which is to, where possible, draw upon sufficient evidence as it is presented to overrule a blindingly obvious decision error. We have to realise that the facilities are limited in their scope, and will not always present us with sufficient footage evidence. Basically we must have the attitude of “if it helps on a certain occasion, great. If it can’t, too bad, ump’s call”, and we lose nothing my doing this.
  
  In relation to borderline decisions, these should and do remain the domain of the on-field umpire. The referral system is not meant to alter those 50/50 decisions, only the evidential shockers. I have read the ICC regulation on the referral process and it clearly defines what the sufficient evidence is. Without copying and pasting all 8 pages, to illustrate the point quickly I’ll run through this:
  
  A batsman is struck on the pads; the decision is “not out – struck the pad outside the line of off stump and playing a shot” and the fielding side ask for a referral. The 3rd ump needs to be shown sufficient evidence that the ball did hit the pad in-line. In order for the evidence to be taken as sufficient, the ball-tracking technology must determine that the ball would have hit wholly within the line of leg stump. Anything short of this is not deemed to be sufficient evidence to the contrary, and is therefore borderline. Umpire’s call would stand.
  
  A batsman is struck on the pads; the decision is “out” and the batsman asks for a referral on the basis that it would have missed leg stump. The 3rd ump needs to be shown sufficient evidence that the ball would have missed leg stump. In order for the evidence to be taken as sufficient, the ball-tracking technology must determine that the ball would have missed leg-stump completely and clearly. Otherwise it is borderline and it’s the ump’s call.
  
  Therefore, captains need to be aware of the closeness of appeals before deciding to challenge them. Only refer if you believe that the decision was a shocker and that the evidence will support you overwhelmingly.Otherwise leave the borderlines to the penguins in the middle.
  
  Reply
- shabangabang says:
  
  10:13am | 11/12/09
  
  The thing that peeved me off most about the referral system was the childish reactions from Ponting. The stupid arrogant you-know-what needs to grow up and take the results on the chin.
  
  Reply
- RT says:
  
  12:02pm | 11/12/09
  
  I’d prefer to get rid of all umpiring and refereeing by video replay. It just delays the game and the ‘get it right’ rate is not that much better than relying on the on-field officials. It’s still just sport, even if it is big business, not life and death. If the margin for success is so narrow it depends on the lack of human error, then so be it.
  
  Reply
- shoomisax says:
  
  08:01am | 24/05/12
  
  Eye darkness I’m wearing now could be Surf USA. and Could not wait to try All With My Purple Life it’s an integral part of the Bloggers’ Infatuation collection through MAC Attempted murder on a Congressman plus murder of the federal ascertain. That is not terrorism? Take another tote brother. Definately! akthough that is like a post a little bit ago, it acquired something about scars i think…
  <a >wow</a>
  Very cool, nice function) Sorry, a postscript. About 3, 800 died from the 911 loss. But
  about 100, 000, including 5, 000 Oughout. S. soldiers, have died in
  our caused War upon Terror. Unfortunately, with a few exceptions,
  none of these 100, 000 were being responsbile with regard to 911. Most absolutely! At house, I enjoy the factor of very own cheff so that you can my cousin and our own friends.
  Whether they’re from the mood to get pizza, pancakes, or potstickers, I’ll make it for these individuals.
  And.. I love doing it! It’s as well fun to make food using your friends.
  My buddy and My partner and i once made the most wonderful milkshake possibly.
  It has been strawberry, honey, cinnamon flavored and yes it was delightful!
  <a >check it out</a >
  
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