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Lillee warns against use of replays at grounds

Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee has cautioned cricket's authorities against the use of giant screen replays at grounds and said they could incite spectators.

"The replays are not only making life intolerable for umpires; one day they will incite a riot," said Lillee, who took 355 Test wickets during his career.

"Those on the International Cricket Council should put down their gin and tonics and plug into what is happening in Australia this summer," he said. He was referring to the instant replays of controversial umpiring decisions that are flashed on to huge screens at Australian grounds during international matches.

"As television stations clamour for better world-wide coverage and gimmicks, I suppose the day is coming when there will be big screen replays at Test venues in the West Indies, India and Pakistan.

"Imagine this scenario: Australian umpire Darrell Hair, standing as the independent umpire in a Test between the West Indies and England at Sabina Park, gives Windies captain Brian Lara out to a bat-pad catch with the home team pressing for victory, but the screen indicates that Hair has made a mistake. Can you imagine the volatile Jamaican crowd just sitting on their side of the fence and copping that sweet? No way," he said, adding that the ACB are "aiding and abetting trouble" at the moment.