Teams to be allowed two additional reviews after 80 overs of an innings

Teams will be allowed two additional reviews after 80 overs of an innings in Test matches from October 1, the International Cricket Council announced on Wednesday.

The ICC said a team’s referrals will be topped-up to two reviews after 80 overs in Test matches where the Decision Review System (DRS) is used. Currently, a team is allowed up to two unsuccessful reviews per innings.

The decision to introduce the new trial was taken at the two-day ICC Chief Executives’ Meeting which also decided to form a Working Group to review the objectivity of the DRS system.

“A trial will be conducted whereby a team’s referrals will be topped-up to two reviews after 80 overs of an innings. This trial will start from 1 October, 2013 in all Test matches in which the DRS is used, with the results being monitored and considered by the Working Group,” the ICC said in a release.

With the DRS generating a lot of controversies in the recent Ashes series between Australia and England, the ICC has decided to form a Working Group to streamline the system. “The CEC agreed that a Working Group be constituted to consider how the ICC should best use technology in umpire decision-making in the future,” the release said.

“The considerations of the group will be wide ranging and include a review of the objectives and philosophies of using# the technologies, protocols and procedures as well as the role and training of television umpires.”

The CEC reviewed the performance of the DRS during the Ashes series and received an update on a technology trial that was conducted during the Old Trafford Test.

During its Chief Executives’ meeting here, the ICC discussed a range of issues, relating to Umpires, over-rates, bad light, use of technology in umpiring and ODI Playing Conditions.

“Following due consideration of the Cricket Committee’s views and the arguments for and against retaining the two new balls provision, opinions of the CEC members remained divided and, as such, the current playing condition remains as is,” the ICC release said.

“The CEC also approved the ICC Cricket Committee’s recommendation that in an ODI reduced to 25 overs or less prior to the start of first innings, only one new ball will be used per innings. This regulation will come into effect from October 1 2013.