DRS just an overused tactic for self preservation, still donât trust it, opines Ian Chappell
Cricketer turned commentator Ian Chappell is of the opinion that the DRS is an overused tactic used in personal interest and is something that he still doesnât trust. After a four-month hiatus, international cricket made a comeback with the ongoing Test series between England and West Indies.
As cricket resumed with the West Indies touring England for three Tests, a lot of umpiring decisions were overturned due to the DRS leading to a debate on the review system all over again. In this regard, former Australia captain Ian Chappell opined that he does not trust the DRS as it is primarily employed to tackle 50/50 decisions. There was a time when the BCCI did not have faith in the system, and only implemented the DRS in October 2016. Chappell admitted that he backs the distrust of the BCCI on this matter.
"There was a time when the BCCI distrusted the DRS. I'm no longer in lock-step with the BCCI on this because I still don't have much faith in the DRS. It struggles to achieve at least two of the ICC's prime objectives: arriving at the correct decision and eradicating the howler. So long as there are a finite number of reviews, it can never be guaranteed to achieve those goals. In its current form, it's mostly used to review 50/50 decisions, is occasionally employed as a tactic, and is overused in the interests of self-preservation. Umpiring decisions should never be part of cricket's tactical battles," Ian Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.
Citing the ongoing series between England and West Indies, Chappell recalled how Richard Kettleboroughâs decisions were overturned on Day 2 of the Southampton Test. Chappell added that the DRS is a tactic that has been overused to the extent of manipulation.
"If I'm a player and there's going to be a human hand involved in the decision, I'd much prefer it was adjudicated on by the umpires in the middle," Chappell added.
"The look of disdain on the face of umpire Richard Kettleborough after three of his decisions were overturned early on Day two of the first Test between England and West Indies, was ample proof of his feelings about the system at that moment. My sympathies were with Kettleborough, one of the better umpires on the international panel. And with the return to a third review in the pandemic era, there are signs the system is being manipulated."