An ICC panel of experts will meet soon to assess the umpire review system used during the recent India-Sri Lanka Test series and decide whether it's appropriate to implement the system for the Champions Trophy next month and subsequently, Cricinfo has learnt.
Considering that the Champions Trophy is starting in Pakistan on September 12, the panel is expected to meet over a teleconference to arrive at a decision in time. An ICC spokesperson has confirmed the development.
It's understood the system will be assessed by a sub-committee of the ICC cricket committee, and will comprise Dave Richardson, the ICC's general manager (cricket), umpire Simon Taufel, Clive Lloyd, the ICC cricket committee chairman, Tim May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations, Kumar Sangakkara, the Sri Lanka vice-captain, and Anil Kumble, the India captain.
Taufel will represent the umpires' views on the system and also present the feedback of the umpires who were involved with the implementing it in Sri Lanka, including Rudi Koertzen, Mark Benson and Billy Doctrove. May will present the views of cricketers worldwide on the system and Lloyd, a former match referee, will bring in a match official's perspective.
All the members of this panel, except Kumble, are part of the governing body's cricket committee. The ICC spokesperson said Kumble was co-opted to the panel as he was "directly involved with the system, and would also represent the viewpoint of the Indian players who were part of the reviews during the recent three-Test series".
The ICC had implemented the review system after it was recommended by its cricket committee this May. It was initially expected to be implemented during the England-South Africa Test series but was initiated in Colombo instead, and has since sparked a debate on its effectiveness after a mixed response from the players.
Kumble has asked for a re-look at the system while Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lanka captain who led his team to a 2-1 win this week, said that he welcomed the ICC initiative.
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