Cricket's controversial umpire decision review system (DRS) will be used at the 2011 World Cup despite the technology causing splits amongst players. The International Cricket Council (ICC), meeting at Lord's Friday, also decided that the DRS should be introduced as soon as possible in all Test series. “The ICC Cricket Committee recommends that DRS, subject to agreement with ICC broadcaster partners ESPN Star Sports, should be used in all matches in the World Cup 2011 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,” said an ICC statement. As in Test cricket, each team will be allowed two referrals per innings to the third umpire who can replay the incident immediately via television pictures. The system, however, hasn't been warmly welcomed by all teams and was at the center of an embarrassing row in January during the Johannesburg Test between South Africa and England. England complained after television umpire Daryl Harper failed to overturn a not out decision against South African captain Graeme Smith because Harper allegedly failed to turn up the sound on an audio feed from the stump microphone. To help cure similar future problems, the ICC agreed that a minimum standard of technology, such as ball tracking, including in the third umpire room, should be introduced. Amongst other decisions, the ICC Cricket Committee also supported, in principle, research into a reduction in the number of teams in the World Cup but more in the World Twenty20. In an attempt to alter the balance of power when it comes to the switch hit/reverse sweep shot, the batsman will now be prevented from changing his grip or stance before the bowler enters his delivery stride. Should the bowler see a batsman change his grip or stance prior to the delivery stride the bowler can decide not to bowl the ball. The ICC also agreed that batsmen trying to steal ground when the bowler is running in to bowl should be discouraged. Regulations will be looked at that require a batsman to remain in his crease until the bowler's front foot lands. Meanwhile, floodlit day-night Test cricket receded further into the distance when the ICC said at least 18 months' research needed to be done on different colored balls. “We are not as clear as we thought we were,” ICC general manager of cricket Dave Richardson said. “Some are saying the orange ball is better, others are saying the pink ball is better, there are some who are saying this shade of pink is better than that shade of pink. There's a lot of anecdotal evidence so we are at the stage where we say ‘let's get the scientists to tell us'.” Richardson told a news conference earlier that he hoped the research would be concluded in 18 months' time to allow the ICC to trial the coloured ball in domestic cricket. Treat all Test dies justly, says Sangakkara Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has demanded ‘equal opportunities' in the playing of Test cricket, saying chances for his country to play the five-day game were being reduced. Sangakkara said he would welcome a World Test Championship, an idea being discussed within official bodies to give greater context to series, but said any new structure needed to give each team the same chances to play internationally. “It's great to have a Test championship but I believe that all sides should have an equal opportunity to play Test matches,” Sangakkara told Reuters, ahead of this weekend's Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand in Florida. “This year we are lucky that India wants to come and play Test matches but the opportunity for Sri Lankan players to fulfil their Test ambitions are getting more and more limited,” he said. Sri Lanka is perceived as an unappealing touring side due to lower box-office appeal at the gate and on television, even though the team has been a consistent force in the international game over the past 15 years. Since a two-Test series in Australia in 2007, Sri Lanka's opportunities for Test tour have been limited to their own continent - a two-Test series in Bangladesh followed by two in Pakistan. Sri Lanka will tour England in 2011 for the first time in five years and it has not played a Test in South Africa since 2002. “Sides must be given the opportunity to play a minimum number of Test matches and the Future Tours Program must be reorganized so some of the best sides tour more than just once in five years,” Sangakkara said.
