Callum Ferguson and Adam Gilchrist say the time is right for umpire reviews in the Big Bash after three marquee batsmen fell to poor calls in the Melbourne Stars' win over the Sydney Thunder.
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Marcus Stoinis hit 61 as the Stars easily defended their 8-169 to win by 22 runs in Canberra, but all the attention was on the continued lack of a decision review system (DRS) 10 years into the BBL.
Melbourne's Glenn Maxwell and Andre Fletcher, and the Thunder's Usman Khawaja, all fell to incorrect calls that could easily have been overturned on video.
Khawaja's dismissal in particular was a shocker, given out caught behind for seven when he tried to scoop Dilbar Hussain but missed by some margin.
Maxwell (39) was given out lbw to a ball that pitched outside leg, while West Indian import Fletcher also went to one that would have gone down leg.
There have long been calls for players to be able to review decisions, with a $2 million expense per season to set it up properly the main stumbling block.
But Gilchrist reasoned there would be ways around that, while also getting rid of the 10-over time out to stop the game from becoming too slow.
"We don't want to see the biggest names in this tournament having to leave due to errors that can be very quickly overturned," Gilchrist said on Fox commentary.
"You hear noises that the cost of it would have a fair bit to do with the technology, to get it in for lbw ball tracking, snicko and various technologies.
"Players would say we don't care (about) the level of technology, it doesn't have to be what we have in ICC events or Test matches.
"Even if it's cameras at a bare minimum. If it doesn't get picked up or is inconclusive, we will wear that."
Thunder captain Ferguson backed Gilchrist's call, agreeing even basic replays would be a better solution than the current one.
That process was loosely trialled in ODIs earlier in the century with umpires sending calls upstairs.
Cricket Australia also used a system in the 2012-13 one-day cup where third umpires could step in, but that was axed amid criticism after just two rounds.
"I believe it needs to happen and the sooner it happens the better," Ferguson said.
"DRS will save us ... (so) the players that bring people through the gates do have a review and we don't see too many howlers.
"I'm understanding (of cost). But I remember playing one-day cricket back in the day (in 2012-13).
"That's absolute basics and we've seen some big decisions back then overturned."
Maxwell said there should be no half measures if CA chose to pursue the DRS.
"It's probably got to be all or nothing," he said. "We probably have to make a definitive decision."
Adam Zampa was the Stars' best with the ball, going for just 2-10 from his four overs as not even Ferguson's 54 off 35 could get the Thunder in the chase.
Australian Associated Press
