ECB to allow players to refer to TV umpire

The ECB has decided that in this year's Friends Provident trophy players may refer decisions to the  TV umpire if they disagree with a decision given by the on-field official.  Referrals can only be made by either the captain of the fielding side, the batsman or the specific fielder involved; and a team will only be allowed two unsuccessful referrals before they lose the privilege.

Dickie Bird is not happy with it, stating that this rule will make umpires "nothing more than glorified hatstands", and frankly it is hard to disagree with him.  The ECB have stated that the reason they want to pilot this approach is to "achieve even more correct decisions"; but if they were so keen to do this why not simply give the 3rd umpire more responsibility?

For example, if LBW was given when there was a blatant inside edge - think Damien Martyn in the Ashes - then they could very quickly communicate with the umpire that this was the case.  It would probably mean that all decisions would take as long as Steve Bucknor's, but surely this is preferable to this half-baked "point of order Mr. Umpire!" method that is proposed?

The process could then be: bowler appeals - field umpire informs TV umpire of his decision - TV umpire informs if anything is obviously wrong with it - decision.  However, the on-field umpire must always have the final say, whatever the opinion of the 3rd umpire.
[lee calvert]