COLOMBO: 

ICC's general manager Dave Richardson

If the umpires' referral system works to satisfaction, the International Cricket Council will allow the live telecast of the communication between the on-field and the third umpire while taking a call on the referral system, ICC's general manager Dave Richardson told
MiD DAY yesterday.

The referral system is being introduced in cricket for the first time in the India vs Sri Lanka series starting today.

Recording

"We will be recording the conversation between the on-field umpire and the third umpire.  The ICC will check whether they are communicating properly. Once they get used to communicating properly with each other, it will also be broadcasted live as they do in in rugby," said Richardson. He added: "For now, it won't be live, as sometimes a good decision can also be spoilt due to poor communication."

The former South African wicketkeeper said although the conversation will not be telecast in this Test, the ICC does not have a problem if the visuals of the third umpire while making the decision are shown.

As for the assistance available to the third umpire in today's Test, Richardson said: "The third umpire will get the sound from the stump mike. He will be shown the slow motion replay and trajectory of the ball till it hits the batsman. He can also call for the virtual eye which is used for ball tracking.

Make up his mind

"He will get to see where the ball is pitched and where it hit the batsmen. After that he will have to make up his mind because after that the ball is messed up by the computers. But he can't listen to the commentators."