BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | England v Pakistan | Cricket chiefs debate 'eye' system

England's chairman of selectors David Graveney has suggested the introduction of a tennis-style 'magic eye' system to ensure umpires do not miss no-balls.

It follows the second Test at Old Trafford where England lost by 108 runs to Pakistan with four batsmen given out after umpires David Shepherd and Ed Nicholls failed to spot the bowler over-stepping the line.

The 'magic eye' system is used at tennis tournaments to identify service faults and emits a loud beep whenever a ball goes beyond the line.

But Graveney also wants increased involvement by the match referee to assist the two umpires in the middle with their decision-making.

Saqlain Mushtaq wins an lbw decision
Dominic Cork was given out to a no ball

"The referee is wired up to the umpire. Why can't he just say 'Look, you may be missing this' or whatever - 'Just be aware that he's going over the line'," he told BBC Radio.

"It's just common sense. There were instances in Sri Lanka - Jayasuriya being caught on the bounce - where the referee could have seen it.

"Umpiring's an incredibly difficult job. You could have a situation as they have in tennis - why not have a magic eye so the umpire is merely concentrating on what's happening at the business end?"

Nick Knight, Ian Ward, Andrew Caddick and Dominic Cork were all dismissed by no-balls - crucial wickets that ultimately cost England the Test.

Graveney said it was unfortunate that the post-match focus was again on umpiring.

"Shep will be devastated. Shep is one of the most respected umpires, people, involved in the game of cricket. This will hurt him greatly.

"But, as I said before, it's an incredibly difficult job and it's sad that we aren't reflecting on a great game of cricket that Pakistan fully deserved to win."

Barrie Leadbeater, chairman of England's First Class Cricket Umpires Association, acknowledged that questions would be asked about whether the match referee or third umpire should be given greater responsibilities to help with no-ball decisions.

He said: "It's difficult with Wasim Akram because his trailing leg gets in the way of his front foot on quite a lot of occasions. Saqlain is also difficult to pick up at times."

But Leadbeater ruled any call from his organisation for greater use of TV replays or technology in decision making.

"Cameras pick up the obvious no-balls, but the tight ones - the umpire on the spot does pick it up much quicker.

Umpire Barrie Leadbeater
Leadbeater: Worried about slowing the game up

"I think this was a one-off situation with these two particular bowlers and the intensity of the situation has made it difficult for the umpires concerned.

He added: "We're concerned about the decisions being wrong, of course, and every effort that can be made with technology to get the decision right for the two umpires in the middle, I would welcome.

"But I'm just a little bit afraid that to use this technology would slow the game down. It would take time for the third umpire to make the decision.

"The game goes along with the umpire making the decision instantly.

"If there's a delay of five, six, seven, eight seconds before the third umpire can see a picture and then refer it to the umpires in the middle - if a batsman has been dismissed by that particular delivery then eight or nine seconds later is given not out because of a no-ball call, I think it would spoil the effect of the game."


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