World chiefs back mandatory video umpire

Cricket's chief executives Monday backed the mandatory use of video umpires in Tests and one-day internationals, a year after they were made optional at the request of powerful India. The International Cricket Council's (ICC) chief executives' committee said independent tests had proved the reliability of the Decision Review System (DRS), which incorporates ball-tracking and "hotspot" thermal imaging. "We have made good progress in independently testing ball-tracking and the new enhancements have resulted in the CEC (Chief Executives' Committee) unanimously supporting the ICC Cricket Committee's recommendation to universally apply the DRS in all Test matches and ODIs," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement. The recommendation for compulsory DRS -- provided host countries can afford the equipment -- will now be considered by the ICC Board, which is meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur. Optional DRS has caused confusion and controversy, including complaints during India's Test tour of England last year, when the visitors refused to allow it. Separately, the chief executives threw their support behind the introduction of day-night Tests, as long as both teams agree and the ICC can provide a suitable ball. They also called for Bangladesh to provide a report on allegations of graft during this year's Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 competition, and urged both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to implement anti-corruption codes. India, which accounts for the lion's share of global cricket revenues, has been suspicious of DRS since making a number of unsuccessful referrals during the 2008 Test series with Sri Lanka, when the technology was on trial. On Sunday, Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore complained about the absence of DRS in the first Test against Sri Lanka -- reportedly due to cost issues -- after a rash of umpiring errors.