India agree to use DRS in England Test series

21 October 2016 08:53

The Decision Review System will be used in England's forthcoming Test series against India after their hosts agreed to the technological aids for the first time.

India have long been reluctant to use the system, expressing concerns about its effectiveness.

But following modifications, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced it has sanctioned DRS on a trial basis for the five-Test series against England, which begins next month.

A statement read: "The Board of Control for Cricket in India will deploy the Decision Review System, in toto, in the forthcoming series between India and England starting from November 9 2016, on a trial basis to evaluate the improvements made to the system, over a period of time."

BCCI made its decision after a meeting with officials from Hawkeye, the company which devised and provides DRS's ball-tracking facility for lbw decisions.

The statement added: "The improvements made to the system were further evaluated by the BCCI team, who were satisfied that most of the concerns and suggestions that were expressed by BCCI over a period of time, were addressed to a significant extent."

BCCI president Anurag Thakur said: "We are happy to note that Hawkeye has institutionalised all the recommendations made by BCCI, and we confirm that this improved version of DRS will be used on a trial basis during the forthcoming series against England - and based on the performance of the system and the feedback that we will receive, further continuation in forthcoming series will be decided.

"We recognise the enhanced role of technology in sport, and BCCI will lead such initiatives in coming days, and enrich the viewer experience."

Source: PA