KEY POINTS:
The contentious umpiring referral system got a serious workout on the final day of the test series against the West Indies yesterday and came out with colours barely flying.
Neither camp is happy with it in its current form - whereby both teams are allowed three unsuccessful challenges per innings.
The final day's play at McLean Park had seven challenges to umpires' decisions, culminating in an angry departure of New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, who had been involved in three challenges alone.
In the test, there were 12 referrals altogether - five more than in the first test at Dunedin last week - six by each team. Six ended with the batsman heading for the pavilion, six backed his case and three of the 12 decisions were overruled.
New Zealand captain Dan Vettori maintained third umpire Mark Benson got it wrong in giving McCullum out caught behind late in the run chase. But he believed both he and West Indian captain Chris Gayle erred in trying to use the system in a way it was not intended.
"If it is used well it can be great for the game," Vettori said. "At the moment we're not quite getting it right."
He favoured TV umpires having all technology available to make sure they get the calls correct. In the case of McCullum's dismissal, Vettori said: "Fifteen guys were sitting watching it and we could all see clear daylight [between bat and ball]. Mark Benson is a fine umpire but unfortunately this one was clearly wrong."
Vettori remains adamant one unsuccessful challenge is the right number; three allows teams to try and milk a 50-50 call.
"If you're looking to rid the game of the obvious wrongdoing it has to be brought back to one referral, which takes away all the 50-50s."
Australian coach John Dyson described it as "an interesting exercise. I don't think it's perfect. It needs a tweak." He said he would favour two unsuccessful challenges per innings.
