Tendulkar not convinced about ICC Umpires Referral system

Mumbai, Feb 12 (PTI) Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar Thursday said he was not convinced about the ICC Umpires Referral system which he experienced first hand on India's tour of Sri Lanka last year.

"When I was there in Sri Lanka last time, I did not
particularly like the Umpires Referral system. There is still
an element of uncertainty in the system," the champion batsman
said here after launching a new product for Aviva Life
Insurance.

"I still prefer the hotspot system to identify the
contact between the ball and bat. The LBW decisions are not
convincing enough as the Hawk Eye gives a 22-yard view which
the new referral system does not agree with... as to whether
the ball would have hit the stumps or not," Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar also ruled himself out from playing in two
Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand in India's tour,
commencing later this month.

About his decision not to play anymore Twenty20
Internationals, Tendulkar said that the reason was he did not
want to disturb the settled team, which won the inaugural
Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007.

"I would continue not to play Twenty20 (international).
The team is settled and I don't want to disturb it .. That's
why I won't be a part of the T20 team (in New Zealand),"
Tendulkar said.

The Indian team is scheduled to start the tour in NZ
with two Twenty20 Internationals.

"When I had decided not to play Twenty20 after Indian
tour in 2007, my body was a bit tired and it needed rest. It
was not appropriate to go (to South Africa) and not give my
best. After that the team had settled down and did well," the
ace batsman said.

However, Tendulkar said he will continue to be part of
the Mumbai Indians team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as
he was associated with it from the beginning.

"I have been with Mumbai Indians from the beginning and
there is continuity," he said.

Tendulkar refused to comment on the umpiring decisions
which went against him in the recent tour to Sri Lanka where
India played five ODIs against the island nation.

"The ICC doesn't allow us to comment about umpiring
decisions. Players find it sometimes a bit disappointing
(about these decisions). I don't want to say anything because
the entire world has seen it," he said.

Tendulkar was given out LBW in three matches, all
debatable decisions, that he played on the Lanka tour before
he was rested for the last two ODIs.

On the upcoming tour to New Zealand for which the Indian
team is to be picked tomorrow and will fly in the early hours
of February 19, Tendulkar said there were a few challenges
facing the squad.

"It is going to be a challenge playing New Zealand in New
Zealand, where the conditions are tough. They are completely
different (from others)," he said.

"In Wellington, if the ball comes at 130 km per hour to
the batsman from one end, it will be 5km more from the other
end with the wind behind the bowler," he said.

"It will affect batting. Against the head wind, the
batsmen sometimes cannot keep their eyes open," he explained.

After the conclusion of the one-day series, India are set
to play three Test matches against the hosts with the final
Test (April 3-7) scheduled to be played in Wellington.

The second ODI on March 6 is also to be held at the same
windy venue.

Tendulkar said that the new players who have no
experience of these conditions would find it somewhat
difficult.

On an optimistic note, he also added that there were
experienced batsmen and coaches in the team to guide them.

"We are prepared for all challenges," he said. PTI SSR
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