Kumar Sangakkara lashes out at the DRS system

Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara was left irked at the end day one of the third Test at Lord’s after a narrow Decision Review System result went against the visiting team.

The issue arose in the 62nd over of the match when Eranga struck the well-set Bairstow on the back pad. The decision looked plumb and the Lankans made a strong appeal. However, the umpire thought differently and turned down the appeal forcing the visitors to opt for DRS.

Surprisingly , the DRS was adjudged as umpire’s call and the appeal was ruled out. Bairstow escaped narrowly from been sent back to the pavilion. Consequently, Sri Lanka also lost one of their two reviews as a result of the unsuccessful challenge. He was on 56 at the stage after being dropped earlier at 11. The wicket keeper batsman went on slam his second century of the series and ended on 107 at stumps, leaving the Sri Lankans frustrated.

This provoked a strong reaction from Sangakkara, who displayed his unhappiness on Twitter with a series of hard-hitting messages.

Currently, 50 per cent of the ball has to be striking the stumps for a batsman to be given out lbw and overturn a not-out verdict by the on-field umpire.

However, former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardena revealed the ICC’s cricket committee had discussed a change to the rule and would likely recommend the alternation to the governing body.

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Under the new rules, only 25 per cent of the ball would need to be hitting the stump for a decision to be overturned.

Jayawardene who now sits for the ICC committee spoke to ESPNcricinfo.comand said, “We’ve decided that the 50 per cent rule should be reduced to 25 per cent.  The MCC rule book says if it hits the wicket any part, it should be given out. So you’re going away from all that with the DRS 50 per cent rule.” As per research conducted, if the 25% rule is implemented 80% percent of the batsmen will be given out on review. As per the current situation, Sri Lanka lost one of their two challenges due to the review system.

Jayawardene further added, “If you take 25 per cent out, the stat says that 75 to 80 per cent of the decisions that were called umpire calls in the past will be taken out and be given out. You think benefit of the doubt when sometimes umpires are considering those margins that 25 per cent is okay, but I think 50 per cent is too much.” The recommendations will be discussed in the ICC committee at Edinburgh this month and if approved, will be implemented in Test and ODIs end of September.