Melbourne: In a scathing attack on ICC’s Decision Review System, former Australian coach John Buchanan has said that the latest innovation is making the umpires look foolish besides being against the spirit of the game and instead of reducing, increasing on-field tension between the players and the officials.

“This system is making people look foolish. It was supposed to reduce tension between umpires and players but it has not done that at all,” Buchanan was quoted as saying by The Herald Sun. “In fact, it almost seems to have increased tension.”

Buchanan said that the system undermines the umpires’ authority and an official, who has always had the ultimate say on the field, is being challenged, which is against the basic spirit of the game.

“I still don’t like the way young kids will see senior players challenging authority and don’t think that it should be part and parcel of cricket. It is fundamental to the spirit of the game that the umpire’s decision should be final. One of the reasons I don’t like the change is that it challenges one of the basic principles of society – you don’t challenge the law,” he said.

Buchanan said since the host broadcaster has to bear a part of the cost of installing the technology required to use the system, DRS can also lead to a conflict of interest.

“I was surprised when I heard that the host broadcaster is being asked to share or pay all of the costs in getting the system up and running,” he said. “You should never have your host broadcaster in charge of your decision-making process. What a conflict of interests that is.”

The former Australian and Kolkata Knight Riders coach said that instead of the DRS, it would be much better if the ICC ensures better training for umpires, as technology cannot ensure 100 per cent accuracy.

“We just need umpires who are better trained, educated and supported. That’s the way you improve the decisionmaking process. I know umpires need more support. I have spoken to them all around the world,” he said. “I saw (commentator) Tony Greig say the other day that with (detecting) edges the system is not totally accurate. Well, if it is not accurate why are we using it?”

Buchanan found a supporter in former Australian wicketkeeper and Deccan Chargers captain, Adam Gilchrist, who said that he too is not convinced about the system’s accuracy.

“I am a bit of a reluctant starter with it. I can understand why the ICC wanted to try it but I am pretty keen to see Test cricket left as it is and the experimentation kept for other forms of the game,” Gilchrist said. “All the technology is fine but there still seem to be a lot of grey areas. I haven’t seen much evidence to suggest umpires have to overrule what they thought in the first place.”

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