The International Cricket Council believes that having umpires wired-up and in tune with the latest technology can only improve on-field decision-making.

All World Cup umpires from the ongoing Super Eight stages can listen into the stump microphones, a facility which the ICC hopes will have a positive effect on the game in the future.

"It is not an innovation in the sense that it was tried before in the 2004 Champions Trophy in England," said David Richardson, the former South Africa wicketkeeper and now the ICC Manager (Cricket).

"The new facility is aimed at helping umpires listen for thin edges that may not easily be detectable in windy stadia or where the noise of the crowd may drown out such faint sounds in caught-behind appeals.

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

Television viewers or fans 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 stadia, 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 World Cup has been controversy-free so far barring a few decisions that appeared to go against Ireland in their match against Pakistan. But Ireland still went on to cause an upset three-wicket win in that Group D first round match.

The win also ensured the debutants qualified for the Super Eight stages at the expense of the 1992 champions Pakistan.

The ICC hopes the new facility will add to an already-high correct decision percentage of around 94 per cent among its elite umpires. The ICC intends that the technology should be used in future bilateral series, where feasible.

It was used when India toured Pakistan in 2004.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)