Stalemate and checkmate

The world today is about instant gratification. Quite simply that is what everyone desires.

Think about it. No longer do you go to restaurants and wade through five courses of the chef’s finest and waddle out bursting at the seams.

We no longer carry around wads of cash as we purchase that sought-after item. Instead slapping that credit card on the cashier’s counter provides the necessary immediate satisfaction. Gone are the days of tedious letters penned with emotion, instead a few clicks on the keyboard and some prompting of the trusty mouse, and away goes that, at times, sterile email.

Recent news informs us that ultra convenient six-packs of small bottles of wine will soon inhabit your fridge to enhance your relaxation time as you effortlessly satisfy your taste and thirst.

Life has been streamlined dramatically over the years so that finality on any issue is achieved in the least possible time. That is just the way of the human race and scientists are spending millions daily in an effort to further ensure satisfactory results.

The last thing that anyone wants is lingering doubt and the aggravation of not knowing the conclusion to an issue.

A couple of weeks ago on Extra Cover we had a live satellite linkup to Dubai to speak with the ICC’s Dave Richardson who had pleased many a ‘cricket head’ a few days before by announcing that a three-appeal system on decisions was likely to be introduced to the game.

This needed to be ratified by the respective countries' boards and Dave considered that to be basically a mere formality.

Had that canvassing not been done prior, surely the proclamation would not have been trumpeted with such fanfare.

The reason for this proposed innovation was simple. The boys standing behind the woodwork with the all-powerful finger of fate were making too many errors. This appeared to be an answer to one of cricket’s major concerns and implementation was eagerly awaited for the Champions Trophy in India.

But guess what? The motion was not passed. The recent close vote reminded us that some influential people in the game are not moving with the times. It further reminds us that the ICC has not stamped its authority as firmly as it should.

This was a real opportunity to trial a system that would, to a large degree, introduce substantial use of television replays and subsequently eradicate infuriating uncertainty.

The ICC should have stood firm and fundamentally insisted on this experimental implementation.

Instant gratification is what we want.

Instant replays are still what we are going to get…… and sadly too many will prove the exposed umpires incorrect.