London, Dec 7 (IANS) Former umpire Dickie Bird believes the International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a serious mistake by introducing the referral system.
The Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) is currently being used in the Test series between Australia and West Indies, and New Zealand and Pakistan.

“I would never have brought them in,” Bird was quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph Monday.

“They are taking the authority away from the on-field umpires and the whole thing is causing more problems than it’s worth.

“In the old days, controversial decisions became talking points in the bars and clubs but everybody respected the umpire’s authority,” said England’s most renowned umpire.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle has openly criticised the referral system. Media reports also claimed that umpire Mark Benson was upset over several incidents involving the referral system and that sparked his decision to withdraw from the Adelaide Test.

Bird said that cricket does not need a review system.

“I am in agreement with Roger Federer, who wanted Hawk-Eye thrown out of Wimbledon, and (FIFA President) Sepp Blatter, who says that refereeing decisions are part of football.”

“Players should accept these things and move on, but all the money that has come into sport has turned their heads,” said Bird, who retired in 1996.