The ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat on Saturday admitted that one of the disappointing aspects of the year 2011 was not being able to reach a consensus regarding the use of Decision Review System (DRS) for international matches, despite a majority of players in favour of technology.
DRS has been the topic debate ever since Australian batsmen Michael Hussey and Ed Cowan were given out by the on-field umpire despite TV replays showing otherwise.
Even Zaheer Khan could have got Ricky Ponting leg before as television replays showed that the batsman was plumb in front.
“We have not achieved uniformity or consistent application of the Decision Review System (DRS) even though a vast majority of the players would like to have it,” Lorgat was quoted as saying.
Another major low according to Lorgat was the Pakistan trio of Salman Butt, Mohammed Aamer and Mohammed Asif being found guilty of spot-fixing.
“A major lowlight would be the sentencing of the three Pakistan players after being found guilty of spot-fixing.
“It was significant that the independent tribunal banned Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir from the game for 10, 7 and 5 years respectively and then later the courts in the United Kingdom finding them guilty of criminal offences and sentencing them to jail terms.”
The chief executive was all praise for the World cup jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. “I think 2011 will be most noted for being the World Cup year that was spectacularly hosted in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka and for the host nation India winning it after some 28 years.
“I can clearly recall those magical scenes in Mumbai after India had won the World Cup.”
According to Lorgat, the year was an exceptional one for Test cricket also. “Notwithstanding, it has been an exceptional year with Test cricket coming to the fore very strongly.”
