Recently the ICC announced that the fielding captain or the batsman can ask for a TV review of an on-field umpire’s decision. Initially this will be done on a trial basis during the India-Sri Lanka test series starting next month, but if the results are good enough then it will be implemented on a permanent basis. While this move will certainly help reduce the erroneous decisions, it will certainly undermine the authority of the on-field umpires.

As it is, the quality of umpiring is not consistent these days. This decision may further affect the quality of umpiring. The umpires may start making casual decisions knowing that even if they go wrong, the batsman can appeal against the decision taken. Umpires have long been held in the highest regards in the game of cricket. But this decision will certainly affect the sanctity of the position. This effectively means that the umpires will be reduced to mere spectators with the best seats in the house.

At a time when severe questions are being asked about the umpiring standards following the fiasco in the India-Australia series, the ICC should have strongly supported the umpires. Especially since they are chosen by the ICC itself. Instead this new move will further give rise to speculations that the ICC does not trust its own representatives.

This move will also have an effect on the ICC’s initiative to popularize cricket. Cricket has always struggled to match the popularity of Soccer. One of the prime reasons for this has been the pace of the game. Just as one thought that cricket may have made some progress in this regards with the arrival of T20 competitions, this move will severely hamper the ICC’s plans.

It remains to be seen what comes out of this bizarre decision by the ICC. If it succeeds then it may bring an end to one of the foremost questions being asked in cricketing circles: “Is technology the answer to erroneous umpiring?”