The International Cricket Council are reconsidering plans to equip umpires with earpieces linked to stump microphones, after learning of the costs that would be involved.

The trial was intended to help with marginal caught-behind decisions and would have been carried out in South Africa's domestic season.

"Our trial will enable us to assess whether its position closer to the action area will provide a clearly audible indication when there is the thinnest of nicks," David Richard-son, the ICC's general manager of cricket, said recently.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB), however, has now suggested that the ICC have gone cold on the idea.

"The problem is that the cost is quite exorbitant, and I know that when the numbers were put to the ICC they were a little bit concerned," said Brian Basson, the UCB's general manager of cricket affairs.

"At this point in time, until I am given the go-ahead by the ICC, I will not be utilising this technology in our domestic competition.

"I don't have the figures with me," added Basson,

"But I know that the numbers scared the ICC off and the basis of the agreement was that the ICC would foot the bill of the experiment."

The ICC, however, deny that there is a reassessment underway. "The cost of the technology is not an issue," said a spokesman.

"This is an experiment we are very keen to see go ahead."

Microphones may be beyond the ICC's budget, but pots of paint are still affordable. The ICC's other experiment, involving parallel white lines down the pitches to assist in lbw decisions, will go ahead. If successful, they may be introduced in international cricket.