It would be great if players walk on their own: ICC

Malcolm Speed has suggested that the umpiring issue could be stopped from blowing over if batsmen choose to walk once they get out.

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Malcolm Speed has suggested that the umpiring issue could be stopped from blowing over if batsmen choose to walk once they get out.

“It would be great if they were to walk and there was universal acceptance on calling their own decisions. But it does not seem to be going that way,” said Speed.

The visiting Indian cricket team has been so upset by umpiring standards exhibited by Steve Bucknor that they at one stage decided to make an official complaint to the match referee.

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Umpires are currently allowed to refer only run-outs, stumping decisions, bump-ball catches and catches they could not see properly to the third umpire.

There is now a clamour to allow all decisions — particularly lbw shouts and delicate edges behind — to be reviewed by television replays.

Speed claimed that a new system could soon be in place which would allow teams three chances to appeal to the third umpire. It will be experimented upon at the Champions Trophy ODI tournament in Pakistan later this year.

Speed had also tried to implement this system during the 2006 Champions Trophy in India but the majority support from the ICC’s units was not forthcoming.