Umpiring is likely to once again be in the headlights during this year's ODI World Cup qualifier, with the ICC confirming that DRS will not be available.
It follows the recent qualifier play-off, where neither DRS or a third umpire for run outs and stumpings was available leading to plenty of controversies over the fortnight in Namibia as the United States of America and United Arab Emirates qualified for the final stage, where ten teams will contest the two remaining spots for the World Cup itself, to be held in India during October.
The qualifier, which will be played in Zimbabwe during June and July, will be a step up from the tournament held four years ago, which only featured a third umpire for run outs and stumpings in 10 of the 34 matches.
This time, a third umpire will be available in every game of the tournament according to a CricInfo report, but the lack of DRS is likely to leave frustration amongst players as they will be unable to review LBW or caught behind decisions. It's unclear whether no balls will be called on field, or from the third umpire's box.
The USA and UAE will be joined by either South Africa or Ireland, as well as Zimbabwe, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Oman and Nepal during the qualifier, which will feature 34 matches.
Controversy over a handful of LBW decisions reigned supreme during the last edition of the qualifier four years ago, and the standard of umpiring was under intense scrutiny during the play-off in Namibia, with umpires mainly appointed locally rather than any being flown in from around the world out of more developed cricket nations.
The DRS will feature in its fourth World Cup this year, having first been used in the tournament during the 2011 edition.
