The Proteas were on the wrong end of three umpiring mistakes
in an 87-run loss to India in the second test at Kingsmead that leveled the
three-match series between cricket's top two test teams.
“They (the ICC) need to lead the way,” Smith said. “If the
technology is available and they want us to trial it and use it, then we must
use it and get used to using it to have an idea if it works or not.
“Using it once in every seven series is not going to benefit
anybody and we're not going to get a good idea whether it benefits the game or not.”
International Cricket Council rules mean both teams currently have to agree to use
UDRS, which allows players to challenge umpires' decisions through TV replays
and technology. But Smith argued that it should not be left up to the
countries' cricket boards.
India opted against it in South Africa and benefited when
Zaheer Khan was given not out in India's second innings when replays showed he
was plumb lbw. Khan went on to build a 70-run partnership with VVS Laxman that
took the game away from South Africa.
Smith had his hands on his head in disbelief when umpire
Steve Davis ruled Khan was not out despite being hit in front of the stumps by
a full, straight delivery from Dale Steyn.
Proteas batsmen A.B. de Villiers and Mark Boucher were then
given out to deliveries that were both missing the stumps in South Africa's
unsuccessful run chase.
Smith said his message “all along” has been that the ICC
needs to decide to use the system consistently.
Before the series, Smith and South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl
both wanted UDRS to be used in the series against India, with Van Zyl saying it
made no sense if it was used in some series and not others.
UDRS has been used frequently in the Ashes series between
England and Australia.
India said it was not 100 percent certain of the accuracy of
the technology, with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni comparing UDRS to a
life jacket without a warranty when asked about it ahead of the first test.
“I have said it plenty of times in India ... I'll repeat it
over here,” Dhoni said. “When you go to a shop to buy a lifejacket you want
something with a warranty. You don't want to spend money on something the
shopkeeper says won't work if you need it.
“We shouldn't be in a hurry to bring it (UDRS) into cricket.
If you are spending money, rather take something that is 100 percent
guaranteed.”
