Stump microphone technology at ICC CWC ensures even more decisions are correct by Icc Media Release

---

Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

---

DateLine: 29th March 2007

 

The Super Eight match between Australia and the West Indies that concluded in Antigua today was the first of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 to utilise stump microphone technology in a move designed to make sure that even more decisions made by umpires are correct.

 

From now on in this tournament, on-field umpires are wearing earpieces giving them an audio connection with the stump microphones, allowing them to hear faint edges and thus giving them a better chance of making the correct caught behind or lbw decision.

 

ICC General Manager – Cricket David Richardson today explained the decision to make the most of this technology.

 

"The use of this technology should ensure that that our top umpires get even more decisions correct," said Mr Richardson.

 

"Television viewers or people listening to radio can hear fine edges through the stump microphones, something umpires have not always had the benefit of in the past," he said.

 

"In many instances, if it is particularly windy or in noisy grounds, it can be extremely difficult to hear faint edges from 22 yards away. By linking to the stump microphones umpires now have that luxury and this should ensure even more correct decisions."

 

The decision will remain with on-field umpire without the need for referral to the third umpire. The use of this technology was approved by the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee for use in all ICC events and, where feasible, in bilateral series.

 

This technology has previously been used during matches in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy and also in selected bilateral series, most notably India ’s tour of Pakistan in 2004.

 

The technology for this is provided by Murray Tregonning & Associates who developed the MatchCom system of communication between officials that has already been successfully used in Australian rugby union and rugby league.