Andy Flower criticises 'unsatisfactory' lack of DRS

Page last updated at 10:09 GMT, Wednesday, 27 July 2011 11:09 UK

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Flower believes DRS allows more correct decisions to be made

England coach Andy Flower says he is worried that not using the Decision Review System (DRS) could cause trouble in the Test series against India.

Flower said it was an "unsatisfactory" situation, particularly after two controversial lbw decisions in the first Test.

He believes umpires would be happier if they had the system available.

"We all know that it is not 100% accurate but we also know you get more right decisions using it," he said.

Flower spoke after umpire Billy Bowden turned down lbw appeals against Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina in the first Test at Lord's.

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It would have been wrong if the outcome of the game had been seriously affected by a couple of those decisions

England coach Andy Flower

Replays indicated the decisions were incorrect and Flower said the incidents drew attention to the lack of DRS.

Both sides have to agree to its use and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which has been a vocal critic of the technology, objected to it.

Despite the controversy over the lbw appeals, neither decision affected the result with Flower's side securing a 196-run victory.

But Flower predicts the issue could cause controversy in the remaining three matches of the series, with the second Test at Trent Bridge starting on Friday.

Asked if he was worried there could be trouble ahead, he added: "Yes, I am actually. We almost saw it happen in this Test match.

"It would have been wrong if the outcome of the game had been seriously affected by a couple of those decisions and it was quite right that, luckily, we did continue to create chances.

"It's unsatisfactory the way it is. There is no doubt about that."

International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat has pledged to commission independent research into ball-tracking in a bid to persuade any doubters.

Teams can make two unsuccessful review requests per innings

But Flower believes the ICC should have acted more decisively on the issue ahead of this high-profile contest.

"I don't think there's anything we can do but I think the ICC should be stronger in taking a lead on these issues," said Flower.

"They are the world governing body and they should lead. I don't think it's unfair to say they haven't led on this topic.

"Let's not quibble about millimetres here when we know you get more right than wrong. That's why most Test-playing nations want to use it.

"[Umpiring] is a very difficult job. We all know that and I think they would be happier with it too."

BCCI denies Indian team skipped High Commission reception

Mumbai, July 27 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Wednesday denied a media report that the Indian High Commission had reported the touring Indian team to the external affairs ministry (MEA) in New Delhi for skipping its reception July 18.

In a press release, the BCCI stated that though the team did get an invite from the Indian High Commission in London for the reception, they had communicated their inability to attend as they had already committed to another function on the same day six months ago.

'The BCCI would like to make it clear that this story is baseless,' BCCI secretary Narayanaswamy Srinivasan said in a statement.

'The Indian High Commission had extended an invitation to the Indian team to attend a reception on July 18. However, the Indian cricket team had already committed itself to another function on the same day, six months in advance. The BCCI had accordingly communicated the same to the Indian High Commission, and suggested that the reception be organised on July 25 instead,' it said.

The board said the reception will now be arranged in August when the Indian team returns to London.

'The Indian High Commission authorities said that there were other engagements scheduled on July 25th. They also informed the BCCI that they would get in touch with the Indian team management after its arrival in the UK, and fix up a date for the reception. The BCCI agreed to this,' Srinivan said.

'Mr. Anirudh Chaudhry, the manager of the touring side, is in touch with the Indian High Commission officials and it is learnt that the reception may be organised in August, when the Indian team returns to London.'

Zaheer still doubtful for second Test, Tendulkar, Gambhir declared fit

Trent Bridge (Nottingham,UK), July 27 (ANI): Indian left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan is still a doubtful starter for the second Test against England to be played here from Friday, while Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir have been declared fit for the game.

The Indian cricket team practiced here for about four hours today and there were extended batting sessions for Tendulkar and Gambhir

The visitors began their practice session with a game of football and followed it up with a session of fielding before getting into the nets.

Zaheer was present on the ground in his tracks for about 30 to 45 minutes, but did not participate in any of the drills.

There is a possibility of either Munaf Patel or S. Sreesanth coming into the squad in place of Zaheer.

England have named an unchanged squad for the second Test after winning the Lord's Test by 196 runs. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)