28 August 2004	Saturday	11 Rajab 1425

LONDON, Aug 27: Most captains of teams competing at next month's ICC Champions Trophy one-day tournament in England have backed the umpiring technology trial at the event, according to a survey conducted by world cricket's governing body.

But Ricky Ponting, captain of world champions Australia, was one of two skippers amongst the 10 who responded to disagree with the principle of more technology for umpires, a position supported by Zimbabwe's Tatenda Taibu.

England captain Michael Vaughan welcomed the move, saying: "In general, I am in favour of using new technology to assist the umpires as they only have a split second in which to make a decision which can be analysed over and over again. So I don't believe they should be the sole judge of all appeals."

Nevertheless, he was cautious about extending the use of technology into other areas. Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq backed the increased use of technology: "I'm very much in favour, because the game of cricket has become very professional and small errors have been affecting results."

Meanwhile ICC general manager-cricket David Richardson said of the Dutch experiment: "The initial feedback to this trial is that standing umpires are very comfortable with it." But the former South Africa wicket-keeper added: "In practice it is more demanding for the third umpire, who has to look at every delivery bowled. -AFP