'Decision-making improved by 98.5 percent after DRS'

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson, on Thursday, backed the Decision Review System (DRS), contending that decision-making in the current year has improved to 98.5 percent.

He also acknowledged that the global cricket body is also trying to include the sport at the Olympics. "I am very proud of the elite panel of match officials and our targets for correct decision making this year currently stands at 94 percent rising to 98.5 percent after DRS," Richardson said on Thursday.

"We also need to determine cricket's strategy in respect of participation in the Olympic Games. It is something we will continue to explore in the first half of 2017 and if our members agree, they would like to pursue it, then that's when the real work for Olympic inclusion begins," he added.

The former South Africa wicket-keeper also revealed that in order to protect the integrity of the sport, the ICC will also introduce blood

testing this year. Protecting the integrity of the sport, is of fundamental importance to everyone here at the ICC," he said.

"We must continue to provide leadership and support in the global fight against corruption and we will complete the implementation of all agreed recommendations made by the Integrity Working Party."

The 57-year-old also stressed on taking the sport to new frontiers by creating more opportunities and increasing the competition in international cricket.

"We will focus on growing participants and fans in two emerging markets, the US and China with a feasibility study and market assessment currently underway in China."

"We will review the performance and merit based funding for our Associate and Affiliate members to ensure better growth and review our ICC High Performance Strategy," he concluded.