5 worst outcomes from Umpire Decision Review System (DRS)
To use DRS or not to use DRS that is the question. This debate is no less than a Shakespearean drama that still continues to unfold in the minds of the cricket connoisseurs across the globe. UDRS or DRS was first introduced on November 24, 2009, when Pakistan and New Zealand squared off against each other in the first test at Dunedin. It was used for the first time in ODIs during England's tour of Australia in January 2011 and later used in the 2011 World Cup as well.
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The idea was to eradicate errors coming from the on-field umpires and basically make the game more fair by the use technology. The batsman/bowler could challenge a decision of an on-field umpire and the third umpire’s help is sought. The third umpire tries to come to a conclusion by using technology based tools like the Hawk-Eye, the Hot-Spot, and the Snickometer to make the correct decision.
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The reception so far has been rather mixed and some of the following instances bear testimony to the fact that DRS may not be 100% foolproof.
1. Nathan Lyon: Australia v New Zealand, 2nd Test, 2015, Adelaide
This was the most controversial decision of recent times when DRS came a cropper at a crucial stage in the first ever day-night test at Adelaide. Now to the ball in question; left arm spinner Mitchell Santner came round the wicket and Lyon went for an ambitious sweep shot. The ball clearly hit the top edge of his blade going on to his shoulder and popping up to gully. Umpire S Ravi adjudged it not out but the Kiwis took a review.
The replays showed the ball kissing Lyon's bat but Nigel Llong, the third umpire deemed the evidence inconclusive and the decision of the on-field umpire remained. Llong couldn't spot the mark on Lyon's bat even when hot spot clearly showed the mark. Llong felt that the mark could be "anything" and wasn't sure it was made by the ball taking the edge.
When everyone on the field thought Lyon was gone for all money, Nigel Llong came up with this absolute shocker of a decision. The repercussions of that decision were massive as the Aussies went on to take a lead and eventually managed to win the day-night test comfortably.