ICC rules out TV technology for World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will not expand the use of television technology for umpires at next year's World Cup, cricket's world governing body said in a statement on Thursday.

The ICC announced its decision after examining the report of a technology trial conducted during September's Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said the trial had increased their understanding of the practical implications of television technology, but confirmed they would not experiment with it during cricket's premier event.

"Although the trial taught us a lot...too many questions remain unanswered for it to be used at other events at this time," Speed said in the statement.

"The World Cup is cricket's pre-eminent tournament. It is of a standing, size and complexity far greater that the Champions Trophy and it is not a tournament to trial unproven playing conditions."

The report identified several areas of concern, including changes in the role of the three umpires at each game, the inclusion of television producers in the decision-making process, the costs associated with its introduction and the training and development needed to make it effective.

ADDITIONAL UMPIRES

ICC general manager David Richardson said they were also concerned about the 12 additional umpires who would be used during the World Cup who had not been in Sri Lanka and had therefore not used the new system.

"These...umpires would have no experience with the expanded use of technology and this would have created another risk if we had asked them to use the technology in this way for the first time at cricket's most important tournament," Richardson said.

The ICC confirmed that use of technology by umpires at the World Cup would be limited to line decisions for run-outs, stumpings, hit wicket and boundaries.

In a change to the existing playing conditions, technology would not be used to determine if a catch had been taken cleanly, unless the vision of both on-field umpires was obscured.

Speed added that the ICC would continue to examine the issue and the results of the trial.

"The timing of the World Cup has made it impractical to expand the role of technology at this event but it is an issue that the ICC will continue examine in detail," added Speed.

The World Cup runs from February 8 until the final in Johannesburg on March 23. Most of the games will be played in South Africa, although six matches have been scheduled in Zimbabwe.

Mail Cricket Editor