BCCI says no to Hot Spot for Ind-Aus Tests

Canberra: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not only stuck to its guns on non-acceptance of Umpires Decision Review System (UDRS), it has also shot down the use of hot spot for the forthcoming series against Australia.

Cricket circles in Australia, understandably, don’t see any merit in India’s stance and fear it could turn out to be a controversial stance if a couple of decisions were to go against the tourists at a critical stage of a game.

It was poor umpiring on India’s previous tour to Australia which sparked trouble four years ago and almost led to tour being abandoned.

BCCI’s latest stance was made clear only a fortnight ago when it made a pre-tour inspection of Australian conditions.

Contentiously for India, Channel Nine, the broadcasting network for the series, is going ahead to use the DRS and Hot Spot for its viewers, allowing them a better view of controversial decision than the umpires.

“If India get a couple of rough ones through the summer, they might all of a sudden become a fan of DRS,” said Brad McNamara, the executive producer of Channel Nine.

“It’s a bit confusing. The thing I worry about probably more than anything is the viewers. It’s hard to explain to them why DRS is on in one series but not in the next in the one summer in Australia,” he added.

Australian coach Mickey Arthur has lamented India’s refusal and said he had hoped the ball-tracking devices and Hot Spot would have been used.

“I have been in favour of it, I always have been,” said Arthur.

Cricket Australia’s spokesman Peter Young also backed Arthur’s view.

“Our view is well documented, we are a supporter of DRS. It was discussed,” he said.

“The ICC’s policy is very clear, for any individual tour you need both nations to agree. India has a view about the accuracy.”

During its England tour, India has refused the DRS but allowed the hot spot to be used for close catches and edges.

But a controversy had broken out during the Trent Bridge Test after an appeal against VVS Laxman had gone in batsman’s favour and it might have prompted India’s decision to exclude even the use of Hot Spot technology for the present series.

PTI