BCCI has its way again; ICC retains DRS arrangement

The Board of Control for Cricket in India again had its way on the contentious Decision Review System (DRS), as the ICC Board failed to ratify its universal application following India's strong opposition to the technology.

The ICC said it will continue with the current arrangement, where the two competing countries in a bi-lateral series decide on the use of the technology.

ICC's Chief Executives Committee had recommended mandatory use of the DRS in Tests and one-dayers on Monday but failed to ratify its universal application following India's opposition to the innovation.

"Whilst approving the recommendations of the CEC relating to the inclusion of Hot Spot cameras as part of the minimum specifications for the Decision Review System (DRS) and the amendment of the LBW protocols regarding the "margin of uncertainty", the ICC Board agreed to continue with the present arrangement where the two competing nations in a bi-lateral series decide on the use of DRS," read a statement from the ICC on Wednesday.

The issue was discussed at the ICC's Executive Board meeting, in Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday night, chaired by outgoing ICC president Sharad Pawar, but was not put to a vote despite perceived support from most of the full member nations.

The motion for the universal application of the DRS was put to the Executive Board by the CEC on Monday, also through a "unanimous" non-vote, with the BCCI's opposing stance being noted and the matter not being put to vote.

The ICC Board, which had met on June 26 and 27 during the ICC Annual Conference week, also came out with other recommendations regarding promotion of cricket, the Danish Kaneria spot-fixing case and regulation changes of the 50-over format, among others.

The meeting was attended by the Board presidents of the 10 Full Member nations and three representatives of Associate and Affiliate nations, besides ICC vice-president Alan Isaac, outgoing Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and ICC's principal advisor I S Bindra and Pawar.