On Monday cricket enters a new era – yes, another one – when the Ahmedabad Test between India and Sri Lanka will be overseen by an extra pair of eyes. Or rather an extra pair of Hawkeyes.

It will be the first time since the start of October, when the ICC chose to upgrade the umpire-review system from a mere trial to a part of the playing conditions, that Paul Hawkins’ technology will be on hand to help TV officials with leg-before decisions. Depending on your perspective, this is either a long-overdue piece of common sense or a betrayal of cricket’s ingrained deference to the umpire – a figure, it is often bewailed, who will soon be reduced to counting to six.

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