Extended TV technology ruled out for ICC Cricket World Cup 2003

The ICC will not expand the use of technology to assist umpires at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 (ICC CWC) after a report of the technology trial at the ICC Champions Trophy (ICC CT) identified several concerns with extending the use of television replays at this time.

These issues include:

ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, said that the trial had met its objective in increasing the ICC's understanding of the practical implications of expanding the use of technology but that the ICC would not experiment with its playing conditions for cricket's premier event.

"Although the trial taught us a lot about the practicalities of extending the use of technology, too many questions remain unanswered for it to be used at other events at this time," said Mr Speed.

"The ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 is cricket's pre-eminent tournament. It is of a standing, size and complexity far greater that the ICC Champions Trophy and it is not a tournament to trial unproven playing conditions."

ICC General Manager - Cricket, David Richardson also said that another issue of concern to the ICC was the use of up to 12 additional umpires on top of the eight Emirates Elite Panel members who used the technology in at the ICC CT, none of whom had used the new system.

"Given the volume of cricket being played at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, there is a need to complement the eight member elite panel with up to 12 other umpires," said Mr Richardson.

"These additional umpires would have no experience with the expanded use of technology and this would have created another risk if we had asked them to use the technology in this way for the first time at cricket's most important tournament."

The use of technology by umpires at the ICC CWC 2003 will be limited to line decisions such as run-outs, stumpings, hit wicket and boundaries.

In a change to the existing playing conditions, technology will not be used to determine if a catch has been taken cleanly, unless the vision of both on-field umpires is obscured.

While electing not to expand the use of technology for the ICC CWC 2003, Mr Speed stressed that the ICC would continue to examine the issue and the results of the trial.

"The timing of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 has made it impractical to expand the role of technology at this event but it is an issue that the ICC will continue examine in detail," said Mr Speed.

"The outcomes of the technology trial have been circulated to all member Boards and will be fully discussed and debated at the Umpires and Referees Seminar and the Cricket Committee - Playing meeting in April 2003"

"This will allow both officials and players to discuss and debate the issue in a considered and meaningful way."

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