CA chief advocates tennis technology

Sydney, Jan 4 (UNI) After the ruckus created by wrong umpiring decision in the second Test, former players and officials have joined in the chrous to endorse the use of more technology to improve the game.

Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland acknowledging the need to use technology similar to the one used in tennis tournaments, said that it could reduce the number of bad calls, as long as delays were minimised.

''There have been some advances in technology that cricket can continue to explore ... there is also a sense of delay when there is this use of technology.'' Sutherland said, ''I think there is a strong argument on the technological side ... in tennis it works where a player can make only two or three (incorrect) appeals in the course of a match. That may be something that makes people think twice about using the appeals at the right time.'' Sutherland's comments came as umpires, West Indian Steve Bucknor and Englishmen Mark Benson, had another modest time at the office on the second day of the SCG Test.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy believes umpires' mistakes are blown out of proportion compared to those of players, but said greater use of technology could help them to do a better job.

''I don't mind a little bit more technology, with a referral system of some sort coming in, to help the umpires feel better for the rest of the match,'' he said.

''On day one, if there is a decision that could have too great an impact on a Test, that could be reversed. That would make the umpire feel better and much clearer in the head for the next four days.

''That's the one angle I think technology can be used for ... to help the umpires reverse a brain fade.'' The 43-year-old Heally also wants match referees to enforce greater standards of behaviour after Mike Procter, allowed obvious acts of petulance to go unquestioned, let alone punished.

''Umpires do need to uphold some standards, that's what they're appointed for, Healy said adding, ''They travel the world to uphold the same standards of sportsmanship and respect.'' UNI XC TB DB1044