Thought of the Day: The implementation of the DRS teaches us how to use it

I've always been quite fond of computers and technology and as such often get asked by family members to help with all things technical, whether it be set-up an email address, configure a router or set the clock on the microwave.  My success ratio at doing such things has led to a rapid decrease in requests of late, but that's another story.

The DRS is a technical system that enables a Cricket Umpire who isn't on the ground to review decisions made on the ground by watching what has occurred on a TV, using footage of the game taken at different angles.  So far, the implementation of the DRS has been as successful as my own self at helping record future episodes of Matlock and so on.

Missing those eyebrows every damn day

One of the large issues with the DRS has been that teams are never sure when to use it, the limited number of referrals means that there is an extra degree of confidence needed when using them, which creates other issues - such as the level of faith a captain has in his bowlers or that batsmen have in themselves.

Shane Watson encapsulates the issues with DRS at what can only be so regularly that it seems like it may in fact be his full-time job.  That being said, Cricket is looking increasingly like it isn't his job, so I dare say he needs a back-up plan.

Watson is in a unique position in that he is an all-rounder who opens the batting (sometimes). This gives his the opportunity to use the DRS reviews as no-one else has gotten a chance to yet.  Combined with Watsons' self-confidence and (apparent) lack of team-play has exacerbated the view that he plays for himself and not the best interest in the team.  Well, he propensity to run-out team-mates doesn't help either.

As a bowler, Watson needs his captains approval to use the DRS when he believes that he has a batsmen out when an umpire doesn't, which is pretty often.  Unfortunately for Watson, his captain doesn't share his love of Watson, so has to turn him down - regardless of the accuracy of the decision.

Clarke, seen here using the Jedi mind trick on Watson, demonstrating his confidence in him.

With all these extra issues caused by the DRS, the simplest solution may simply be to not use it and trust the umpires.  Similar to a relative who may be of use but ends up taping "Home Improvement" instead of "Eurovision", it may be best just to leave these things to the experts (the Umpires) and not worry about the solutions that just cause more issues.