Andy Flower calls for better use of the Decision Review System

England coach Andy Flower

The England coach Andy Flower has called for better use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in the upcoming two Ashes Tests.

All three Test matches so far have been marred by controversies surrounding the use of the DRS technology. Once again, there were incidents in the third Test that could have been averted had there been correct usage of the technology.

“Firstly umpiring is a very tricky business but I would say that there are very clear protocols to use and to stick to and I think some calm decision-making needs to be made over the next two Tests,” Flower said.

When asked about how the decisions seemed to be contradicting themselves, he further added: “There are improvements in the use of the technology and the use of experts who know how to use the technology that could make a difference to getting better results,” reported NDTV.

The problem has been compounded in the Ashes as only four of the twelve umpires in the ICC’s elite panel are eligible to officiate. The other eight are either from Australia or the home side England, and are disallowed as only neutral umpires are allowed to officiate in Ashes Tests.

Umpires Kumar Dharmasena from Sri Lanka, Aleem Dar of Pakistan, Tony Hill of New Zealand and Marais Erasmus of South Africa have been used on a rotational basis.

In the third Test, of the ten decisions that were reviewed- none of them were overturned. This indicates either a trend where the players are becoming increasing negligent with the use of the DRS or it could point to the umpires lack of willingness to acknowledge on field mistakes, and over rule them.

It maybe remembered that both captains, Alastair Cook and Micheal Clarke had discussed the DRS issue earlier.

Read more about their views here.