The International Cricket Council has announced that the somewhat controversial umpire’s call will remain part of the game for the foreseeable future.
Umpire’s call forms part of the Decision Review System (DRS) but has come under the spotlight in recent times with Indian skipper Virat Kohli also calling it out last week.
Kohli stated that the umpire’s call is currently ‘creating a lot of confusion’ and added that batsmen should be given out if any piece of the ball crashes into the stumps.
The ICC, though, on Thursday confirmed that discussions were held around the implementation of umpire’s call and came to the conclusion that it remains an important part of the game.
‘The Cricket Committee had an excellent discussion around Umpire’s Call and analysed its use extensively,’ said former Indian captain Anil Kumble, who overseas the ICC Cricket Committee.
‘The principle underpinning DRS was to correct clear errors in the game whilst ensuring the role of the umpire as the decision maker on the field of play was preserved, bearing in mind the element of prediction involved with the technology. Umpire’s Call allows that to happen, which is why it is important it remains.’
Three changes to DRS and 3rd umpire protocols were, however, approved by the committee.
– For LBW reviews, the height margin of the Wicket Zone will be lifted to the top of the stumps to ensure the same Umpire’s Call margin around the stumps for both height and width.
– A player will be able to ask the umpire whether a genuine attempt has been made to play the ball before deciding to review an LBW decision.
– The 3rd Umpire will check a replay of any short run that has been called and correct any error prior to the next ball being bowled.
