18 Jul 2013

ICC backs controversial umpiring from 1st Ashes test

8:31 am on 18 July 2013

The International Cricket Council has backed the three umpires and the use of technology in the game following a controversial first Ashes Test.

England's 14-run win over Australia at Trent Bridge was marred by a series of umpiring blunders and while acknowledging some mistakes, the ICC has defended the performances of its officials and the Decision Review System (DRS).

Of the 72 decisions Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena and third umpire Marais Erasmus had to make, the ICC pinpointed seven errors had.

Three were uncorrected decisions, the first of which being a fault of the technology in England's second innings when Jonathan Trott was given lbw when he was originally given not out.

The other two were against Stuart Broad - including the not-out call from Dar when the English batsman nicked Ashton Agar to Michael Clarke at slip - when Australia had no reviews available.

Four decisions were corrected by DRS.

Therefore, the ICC says as a result of technology being used, the correct decision percentage rose from 90.3 per cent to 95.8 per cent.