Australian bowler Pat Cummins calls for changes to cricket’s decision review system

The most controversial element of DRS — umpire’s call — is under review. But Pat Cummins says an even greater flaw in the technology is leaving bowlers short-changed. Have your say.

(L-R) Australia's Matthew Wade, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Pat Cummins and Joe Burms watch the scoreboard for a DRS review during the second day of the third cricket Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on January 4, 2020. (Photo by JEREMY NG / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —

Pat Cummins says DRS is far too batsman-friendly for lbw decisions as the custodians of cricket’s laws push the ICC to consider scrapping umpire’s call.

Cummins can’t understand why the hitting zone of the stumps does not include the bails.

He also said the requirement for at least 50 per cent of the ball to be crashing into the stumps for an ‘out’ decision was far too much – suggesting as little as 5 per cent.

“They measure the 50 per cent of the ball not from the top of the bail, but from the line you see from the top of the stump,” Cummins said.

“So you almost need 70 per cent of the ball. It brings down the area you’ve got to be hitting the stumps to quite small.

“It almost has to be a half-volley for someone who’s quite tall, or you have to be bowling so straight from stump to stump.

“Nathan Lyon bowling here in Australia obviously gets quite a lot of bounce — it’s so hard for him to get an lbw.”

The Marylebone Cricket Club world committee discussed DRS for 90 minutes at its February meeting and some members, including Shane Warne, argued passionately to remove umpire’s call for lbw decisions.

Others wanted the human element retained because it took into account the ‘benefit of the doubt’ that has long existed in umpires’ decisions.

Kiwi opener Tom Latham waits for the result of DRS challenge.

But Warne pointed out that it was confusing for the public how the same delivery could either be ‘out’ or ‘not-out’, depending on the on-field umpire’s original decision.

The issue flared last week when Australia captain Aaron Finch and Indian entertainer Rishabh Pant received favourable lbw umpire’s calls, despite technology showing the ball hitting their stumps.

Finch avoided a golden duck to crush New Zealand with 69 (44) while Pant remained not-out on 35 on his way to a century against England which has all but eliminated Australia from the World Test Championship.

Pat Cummins wants to see changes to the DRS.

Cummins called for more lbws.

“It has to be hitting the stumps for a batter to be out lbw – but it can also be hitting the stumps and they still won’t be out,” he said.

The MCC also said:

• Changes to bouncer laws will be discussed in December after further concussion research and data is gathered;

• There was significant – but not unanimous – support to permanently ban applying saliva on the ball, with players set to be consulted;

• Home umpires should remain post-COVID, so long as one neutral on-field umpire is also used;

• Soft signals should not be given for outfield catches;

• The ICC should provide the same technology for all international games, rather than relying on the host broadcaster.

Marnus Labuschagne waits for a DRS call during the Boxing Day Test.

Cummins also argued that teams should not lose a review when concrete evidence did not exist for caught behind referrals.

“I understand it’s there for the howler, they keep saying. But I don’t understand why then nicks behind are so black and white,” Cummins said on Fox Cricket.

“I know he’s either nicked it or he hasn’t, but there’s times where you’re not 100 per cent whether snicko lines up or you can’t say for certain whether he’s copped glove.”

Originally published as Australian bowler Pat Cummins calls for changes to cricket’s decision review system