Vettori slams umpiring referral system

Wellington, Dec 24 (NAI): The umpiring referral system is under the spotlight again after a senseless decision resulted in the dismissal of Brendon McCullum on Tuesday, killing off New Zealand's daring bid for a test victory over the West Indies.

McCullum had breezed through to 19 and had New Zealand promisingly placed needing 109 from the final 16 overs with six wickets in hand when a seemingly futile appeal for caught behind was successfully upheld by umpire Rudi Koertzen, Stuff.

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co.nz reported.

McCullum immediately appealed the decision under the referral system, but although television umpire Mark Benson had no way of confirming the faintest of edges he opted not to get offside with his fellow umpires.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori criticized the decision and the system last night, saying referrals had to be trimmed to one appeal per team rather than the current three because sides will abuse the option.

He also made a plea for the television umpire to be equipped with the full range of technology to avoid more howlers like the one yesterday that ruined a potentially riveting finish in the second test at McLean Park.

Vettori will document his concerns and suggestions in his standard captain's report, namely arming the television official with every conceivable form of technology.

New Zealand was chasing 312 for victory in 60 overs, a run rate of 5.2 per over on a belter of a pitch.

At 203-4 at the start of the 45th over the test was on a knife-edge when McCullum attempted a hook at Jerome Taylor and the ball flew through to an excited wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and he was adjudged caught behind. (ANI)