Cricket: Vettori gives thumbs-up to umpire review tool

Both New Zealand captain Dan Vettori and the boss of the technology provider were happy with the Umpires Decision Review System used during the three-test series against Pakistan.

Over the 11 completed innings, plus 19 overs of New Zealand's rain-hit second innings of the drawn third test in Napier on Tuesday, the two teams averaged a shade under three per innings, with New Zealand far more successful.

"I was happy with it," Vettori said last night. "It does not undermine the umpires' decision-making because it has a bias towards the umpires' original decision, which I think is fair."

The numbers suggest New Zealand were more savvy with their reviews - two unsuccessful attempts in an innings end a team's right to appeal.

There were 10 reviews sought in each test. The New Zealand batsman involved in most reviews was wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, who was in four incidents, and got the right verdict each time.

Vettori added that players won't automatically signal a "T" for a review at the drop of a hat because "they need to be absolutely sure to contradict the umpire".

Animation Research Ltd chief executive Ian Taylor reckoned it was a satisfying start from a technological point of view.

"We're pleased with the way it went," he said. "It's been a baptism of fire because there was last-minute stuff that had to be modified simply for the umpiring reviews, but we've had really good feedback from the umpires."

Taylor said fine-tuning and some more advances are going to be worked on during the world under-19 tournament which New Zealand is hosting from mid-January.

APPEALING NUMBERS
* There were 30 umpiring reviews sought by players during the New Zealand-Pakistan series,
* New Zealand made 14 appeals, of which five were upheld; Pakistan made 16, with two coming back in their favour.
* New Zealand batsmen got a second life through an appeal four times; Pakistan got none.