Real-Time Snickometer to be part of DRS in Ashes

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Tuesday confirmed that Real-Time Snickometer (RTS) will be part of the Decision Review System (DRS) in the Ashes which begins in Brisbane Nov 21.

The decision-making technology that will be used as part of the Nine Network's coverage includes Virtual Eye (ball-tracking technology), Hot Spot and RTS.

Both Virtual Eye and Hot Spot are on the list of approved DRS technologies and can be used by TV umpires in any series in which they are available. The RTS is not yet on the list but the ICC commenced the process of evaluating it for inclusion following the meeting of ICC member country chief executives in September, where broad support was shown for the new technology.

To assist with the evaluation, Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have agreed to use the RTS.

ICC's general manager - cricket Geoff Allardice said: "The ICC has been monitoring the development of the RTS for the past 12 months, including its use in more than 50 days of cricket coverage during the English summer.

"We were happy to support the initiative of CA and the ECB because we believe it can improve the DRS by getting more decisions correct involving faint edges, to help the umpires make those decisions faster, and to help spectators and viewers better understand those decisions."

ICC umpire performance and training manager Simon Taufel Tuesday conducted a session with the umpires on the use of the RTS and has also briefed both teams on the protocols that have been developed for its use and the interpretations that will be used by the umpires.

"The RTS will complement Hot Spot by providing an extra tool that umpires can use to find the conclusive evidence needed to overturn an on-field decision," Taufel said.

The only other change to the DRS from the previous Ashes is that teams will have their number of reviews topped-up to two after 80 overs of an innings.