Cricket worked pretty well without DRS for over 100 years, Mitchell Johnson says backing BCCI's stand

New Delhi: Retired Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has backed the stand stand taken by Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) on the controversial Decision Review System (DRS).

“In my mind, we need to decide if we want to use technology properly or not use it at all,” Johnson wrote in a column for News Corp, which was published on February 19.

“To be honest, I’d be happy if they left everything to the on-field umpires. I’m happy to have no DRS – cricket worked pretty well without it for over 100 years," he added.

“I tend to agree with India’s perspective on the DRS debate – it’s either got to be spot on, or not used at all. If we can make sure that technology is used to get the right decision every time, then that’s great. But until then, I’m not so sure.”

Despite BCCI's softened stand on the controversial issue, DRS still continues to draw criticism for inaccuracies. And the Johnson was critical of the incorrect no-ball call that reprieved Adam Voges in Australia’s first Test against New Zealand last week.

“I tend to agree with India’s perspective on the DRS debate – it’s either got to be spot on, or not used at all. If we can make sure that technology is used to get the right decision every time, then that’s great. But until then, I’m not so sure.”

“It worked out pretty well for Vogesy and I’m really happy for him but, as a bowler, I can tell you it’s very annoying when I see that stuff happen... Bowlers are checked for a no-ball almost every time they take a wicket, so it’s a bit strange that it can’t work the other way. Surely the third umpire could intervene?” he explained.

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur had recently admitted that the world's richest cricket board will no have no problems in accepting the DRS in a new avatar.