Referral system under cloud

SYDNEY: The effectiveness of the newly-introduced referral system was under a cloud on Friday when it failed to deliver a fair decision in the case of Mitchell Johnson during the second day’s play of the first Test.
Johnson became first Australian batsman to refer his dismissal decision to the third umpire. He was dismissed after umpire Ian Gould ruled him out caught behind off spinner Sulieman Benn.
Highlighting that the referral system gives the benefit of the doubt to the umpire, not the batsman, the decision was upheld despite hot spot showing no mark on his bat.
Loophole in Dunedin too
Day Four of the Pak-NZ Test saw a loophole in the UDRS when Pakistan lost an appeal because the on-field umpire failed to spot a no-ball from Md Asif.
When Asif challenged umpire Billy Doctrove’s decision to not give Grant Elliott out after an LBW appeal, replays showed the batsman was plumb.
In ordinary circumstances, the umpire would have had to over-turn his original decision, but the TV grab also showed Asif had overstepped. Because of the no-ball, Doctrove stuck to his decision, Elliott continued to bat, and Pakistan lost an appeal.
The incident has raised questions over whether a side should also be watching out for no-balls, which is the on-field umpire’s job.