The Boxing Day Test kicked off against modern rivals India and what I always thought would be a controversial issue this series raised its head on the first day and will be a talking point all summer.
Under the rules of the ICC if both teams don't agree on the DRS then it is not used. As usual India declined to use the technology and it showed why. The decision to give out Hussey and Cowan were appalling decisions by the umpire as replays clearly showed there was no edge and also clearly showed there was no sound when the ball passed the bat on both occasions. With these facts it makes you wonder why India were appealing so loudly when there is no evidence to give the decision out. Add to that the fact the biggest appeal on both occasions came from the keeper who is also the captain of the team.
The ICC has the power to enforce the DRS for every game. The DRS is used for runout and stumping decisions and if I am correct it will also be used to see if a .ball carried to a fielder. The umpires will also use replays to confirm boundaries. India cannot have it both ways, if they do not want to use the DRS because they do not trust the technology then they cannot also say they trust the technology for other decisions.
India were also unhappy with a declined LBW decision that did not go there way and clearly showed frustration. Someone needs to tap then on the should tonight and remind them of earlier decisions that went there way. For the rest of this series India maintain no right to complain about any umpiring decisions as they have handed themselves the deck they are playing with. What India need to remind themselves of is how would they handle the tow decisions if they happened to their players. Imagine the reaction in India if Tendulkar was given out first ball to a delivery that he clearly missed.
Analysis of the game with my sideline reporter had comments of cheating raised. I am not saying that India have cheated but if they continue to refuse the DRS and then appeal for dismissals that are clearly not out then they have to accept the accusations that will go their way. It will be interesting to see how today's play pans out in media reports and if either side makes any comments. I will be watching closely.
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