PTI 
  
Dubai, May 30: The International Cricket Council has once again sought to defend its decision to rely more on technology, saying the proposals were aimed at minimising errors and not undermining the on-field umpires in any way.

"The on-field umpires will continue to make the decisions. Their role is no way being compromised," International Cricket Council General Manager Dave Richardson said.

The top ICC official was referring to the proposal which will allow players to make three appeals per innings to the third umpire if they feel a decision made by the on-field umpire is incorrect.

"Only if they do make a mistake and the players know that it is a mistake can the players appeal to the television umpire," he was quoted as saying in 'Gulf News' today.

Richardson did not think that by referring an appeal to the third umpire, the players will be humiliating the umpire.

"Our intention is not to humiliate the on-field umpires, but help him. Isn't it better to correct a mistake immediately than being criticised later for giving a wrong decision and then being held responsible for changing the course of the game?" Richardson said cricket is the only sport where players appeal first and then umpires make the decision.

"In all other sports, the referees make the decision and then everyone else runs around, appealing. Cricket is unique.

"Appealing to the television umpire is only an extension of the original appeal."