Third Umpire Review System in Cricket

Third Eye

The umpires shall take positions from where they can easily see any act upon which their decision may be required. The umpires shall change the ends after each side has had one inning.
Duties of the Umpire

A red light indicates that the batsman is out and a green one otherwise.
Problems and errors with the Decision Review System (DRS) came into the spotlight yet again after a controversial decision in the second T20 International between New Zealand and India on February 8, 2019.

The Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) or simply DRS is a technology-based system used in cricket matches, that is meant to assist the on-field umpires in making decisions. Under DRS, an umpire can ask the third umpire (or TV umpire) to review a decision, players too can ask for a review of the decision, if they are dissatisfied with the decision of the on-field umpire.

To make cricket free and fair, the introduction of high definition technology service is being used. Formerly field umpire’s decision was considered to be ultimate.

Cricket has now become a very high paid industry. As the stakes are huge nobody likes to take failures due to wrong decisions. Nowadays if the field umpire thinks that there is a doubt in decision making they communicate to the third umpire to take his decision. The third umpire makes use of the computer  and on the screen he analyses the decision. He looks at various TV replays from different angles and comes to a conclusion by pressing the appropriate signal. A red light indicates that the batsman is out and a green one otherwise. His opinion is based on frame to frame basis the ball trajectory and the bat impact, thereupon he judges the decision considering the rules laid down in the cricket book.

Previously when countries used to go for their matches umpires were from the host country. Now to rule out unfair practice neutral umpires are appointed. This also helps the game of cricket.

Third Umpire’s role has now become very critical as the close decisions can ruin the future of not only the team but also the players. To aid the third umpire  with TV replays gives him the discretionary power to the on field umpires and generally these decisions are thought out, hence nowadays few error in decision takes place.

Technology is still evolving, still there are some very close decision specifically in Leg Before Wicket (LBW), as the movement of the ball is contemplated. The cricket fraternity should also consider the technology used in lawn tennis wherein if the ball touches the boundary line while serving then , there is a beep sound. Similarly, if there is a no ball i.e if the bowler over steps the crease, then it will help the umpires on the field to concentrate on other aspects of umpiring.

Even in cricket sound technology is also being utilised. For ball tracking it is viewed whether there was any impact sound between bat and ball. Even during matches the audio of the players can be analysed and if there is any unruly behaviour of any player, then it can be verified.

Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium