Umpire Koertzen calls for more decision reviews

Former Elite Panel umpire Rudi Koertzen has called for the use of decision reviews to be used in all future Test matches.

The South African, who has recently become the ICC’s regional umpires’ performance manager for Africa, believes there are problems in the sporadic use of review system.

“I don’t think that’s fair on the umpires because in one Test you get some sort of assistance and in the other one you are on your own,” he said.

“It’s only going to make it harder for the guys if it goes that route.”

He stressed the importance of making the technology available for use in all countries.

“It’s no use having it when South Africa play Australia or in the Ashes, and then you have for example Sri Lanka playing Bangladesh and you can’t have it.”

The cost of the technology has prevented some cricket boards from being able to install the review system.

“Somehow somebody has to come up with a deal and say we will support this, we will sponsor it,” he continued.

And Koertzen believes giving players the opportunity to question decisions will not lower the respect shown to the men in the middle: “I don’t think it will lower the dignity of the umpire.”