Referrals to begin in October

The ICC has given the green light to the controversial referrals system to challenge umpire's decisions which will begin in October.

The system has been trialled during four Test series and then reviewed by the cricketing authorities, who now deem it accurate enough to be brought into the game on a permanent basis.

On the first day of the recent ICC meeting discussion focussed on whether the new system would undermine the umpire's authority.

However it was thought that the positives outweighed the negatives and all Tests will feature the innovation from the autumn.

Controversy surrounded lbw decisions, with the predictive part of 'Hawkeye' not seen by the third umpire, prompting debate as to whether the system helps or hinders the prospect of achieving the correct decision.

But it is thought that more often than not the right decision will now be made and it was evident on England's tour of the Caribbean that the men in the middle do, on occasions, get it wrong.

Another proposal at the meeting was for the introduction of day/night Test matches, and the ICC stressed that this would be looked at in the future.