Does Technology aid or hamper decision making?
August 2nd 2008 11:58
I know I was among the group that thought that the reviews would work well for the game. At the same time I remember many also thought that 24 appeals was a whole lot more than what should be right.
Now, I am convinced more than ever that this referral nonsense should be ditched. Yes, it does throw light on the occassional tough chance - especially bat and pad. But it is very limited and what is more, it is inaccurate in terms of leg before referrals.
Today we saw three mistakes. Earlier on in the morning, there was an appeal against Sehwag. The ball pitched on middle was hitting leg - in real time and in slow motion replays. According to Hawkeye the ball pitched on leg and was hitting off and middle. Nonsense.
Next, there was this leg before appeal against Jaywardene to a perfect off break from Harbhajan. It was pitching on off and middle and was crashing into leg - even according to Hawkeye. But well, the umpires would not give that out - most mysteriously.
Next, Samaraweera was runout off a direct hit by Zaheer Khan from midon. His bat was on the line when the bails were disturbed. But well, the 3rd umpire Gamini Silva just did not find it in him to call for the red light. Now, I do not know whether that was a partisan act or not. All I can think of was that it was an inaccurate decision. And Kumble and Harbhajan were even contemplating asking for a review of that decision - which of course was not possible
So much for technology. I must hasten to emphasize that it is not technology as such which is the culprit here but how we chose to use it and who ends up using it. Technology ultimately only provides with the information required to make the decision. Sometimes, there is precise information and sometimes there is not. Ultimately though technology cannot be allowed to take decisions on its own. It is a factor, but it is by no means the only factor - especially considering the fact that it is not 100% accurate.
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