DRS makes umpires look foolish: Buchanan

In a stinging criticism of the ICC's Decision Review System, former Australian coach John Buchanan said the innovation makes umpires "look foolish", is against the spirit of the game and adds to the tension between on-field officials and players.

"This system is making people look foolish. It was supposed to reduce tension between umpires and players but it has not done that at all," Buchanan was quoted as saying by The Herald Sun.

"In fact, it almost seems to have increased tension," he said.

Buchanan said the system undermines the umpires' authority.

"I still don't like the way young kids will see senior players challenging authority and think that it should be part and parcel of cricket.

"It is fundamental to the spirit of the game that the umpire's decision should be final. One of the reasons I don't like it is that it challenges one of the basic principles of society - you don't challenge the law," he said.

Buchanan said since the host broadcaster bears some of the cost of installing the technology required to use the system, DRS can also lead to a conflict of interest.

"I was surprised when I heard that the host broadcaster is being asked to share or pay all of the costs in getting the system up and running," he said.

"You should never have your host broadcaster in charge of your decision-making process. What a conflict of interests that is," Buchanan pointed out.

Buchanan said better training for umpires is the only way to cut down on errors as technology cannot ensure 100 per cent accuracy.

"We just need umpires who are better trained, educated and supported. That's the way you improve the decision-making process. I know umpires need more support. I have spoken to them all around the world," he said.

"I saw (commentator) Tony Greig say the other day that with (detecting) edges the system is not totally accurate. Well if it is not accurate why are we using it?" he asked.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist is also not too convinced about the system's accuracy.

"I am a bit of a reluctant starter with it. I can understand why the ICC wanted to try it but I am pretty keen to see Test cricket left as it is and the experimentation kept for other forms of the game," Gilchrist said.

"All the technology is fine but there still seem to be a lot of grey areas. I haven't seen much evidence to suggest umpires have to over-rule what they thought in the first place," he added.