Review of first Sri Lanka test
Looking back at the first test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, one gets an overwhelming feeling that this match went Sri Lanka’s way from the start and that there were not many instances where the fortunes shifted between the teams.
One topic that is bound to overshadow any conversation, though, is the absence of the DRS, and the abysmal umpiring errors that went uncorrected.
All-in-all, we counted at least 12 instances where the DRS could – and probably would – have been used.
Pakistan were on the receiving end of an amazing 10 of these, and Sri Lanka only suffered twice, while umpires Ian Gould and Steve Davis spilt the effort between them.
None of the batsmen were involved twice, but the bowlers were not so fortunate – Umar Gul lost out twice, and Saeed Ajmal missed out twice on the “finger” as well.
Suresh Randiv was handed two scalps, where he deserved none, and Rangana Herath benefitted once while missing out twice.
Mohammad Hafeez was denied once, but the umpires “made up” for that by awarding him another wicket.
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The ICC have now recommended that if members can finance and obtain the required technology then "DRS should be mandatory for all tests and ODIs" to avoid disputes during matches, a move that is still not acceptable to the BCCI.
This weak statement will not resolve the issue, however, as Sri Lanka apparently could not finance the system for the current series against Pakistan, even though they did so against England.
The ICC should now step up to the plate and offer to assist financially – and also stand firm against the BCCI – if this is ever going to become an integral part of the game.
