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Third eye to the fore at Kuala Lumpur

Cricket authorities are likely to come under pressure to increase the jurisdiction of the third umpire, following the planned use of slow motion replays in non-televised matches at next month's Commonwealth Games.

Mike Demaine, a South African television producer who will be in charge of the cricket broadcast from Kuala Lumpur, said all six venues for the Commonwealth Games limited-overs tournament would be equipped with replay cameras.

The Pana-eye system, consisting of four dedicated cameras positioned square of the wicket at each end of the pitch -- similar to the system now in use on South African grounds -- will be installed at the two grounds from which matches are to be broadcast.

Similar systems, though not delivering pictures of broadcast quality, will assist umpires at the four other grounds.

The head of cricket organization for the Commonwealth Games, Chinadurai Sivanandan, confirmed as much from Kuala Lumpur: "We want to make sure the competition is fair and not effectively played under two sets of rules."

It is believed to be the first time the third umpire will be used in matches not broadcast on television.

Demaine, who was instrumental in the advent of television umpiring in 1992, is part of a committee appointed by the United Cricket Board of South Africa to investigate the extension of the third umpire's duties in South African domestic cricket.

He believes the technology will soon exist to enable umpires to give faultless decisions most of the time.

"At the moment you're still relying on the expertise of your cameraman but the technology can be developed and very quickly," Demaine said. "But it costs money and up to now, no-one has wanted to pick up the tab."

Agencies