ICC to review reviews

The International Cricket Council is planning a meeting to review the Umpire Decision Review System in a bid to solve the problems that have arisen since it was implemented in Tests.

Dave Richardson, the ICC's general manager, said the system had reduced umpiring errors since it has been introduced but that there are still improvements to be made.

He didn't suggest not allowing Daryl Harper anywhere near the third umpire's box, but instead said that it important the ICC look at standardising technology - notably Hotspot, which hasn't been used in all Tests since the UDRS was adopted, as there's only four Hotspot cameras in the world.

Richardson disagreed that the ICC should be forced to fit the sizeable bill for the likes of Hotspot and Hawkeye, as that would mean members like Afghanistan, Ireland and Holland would be "paying the costs for Tests put on in some other full-member countries".

Harper was involved in a controversial review in the recent England-South Africa series, dubbed Knobgate, when for some reason the volume wasn't turned up high enough for him to hear Graeme Smith hit the cover off the ball before being caught.

"Obviously if we had that series again we would make sure that the same levels or specifications that the host broadcaster was using was also being used by the other broadcasters so that there was no room for different feed going out to different people," said Richardson.

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