ICC approves changes to DRS review
The ICC Cricket Committee have made a few changes as far as the third umpire's involvement in the DRS is concerned. However, these protocols have only been made to keep the original idea behind the review system as it is.
The contentious 'Umpire's Call' will continue to be a part of the Decision Review System, the International Cricket Council's Board ruled on Thursday, but introduced a few changes to the current DRS protocols.
As per the existing rule, 50 per cent of the ball should be hitting at least one of the three stumps for the batsman to be adjudged LBW on review in case an umpire's not outcall has been challenged.
The ICC Cricket Committee, led by former Indian captain Anil Kumble, considered the current issues in the international game, and presented its recommendations which were approved. One of the issues discussed was the current approach to umpire's Call.
Kumble said: "The Cricket Committee had an excellent discussion around Umpire's Call and analysed its use extensively. 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."
In addition, three other changes to the DRS and Third Umpire protocols were approved. These are as follows:
- 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. The 'Wicket Zone' has been extended to include the top of the bails while the mark was previously the bottom of the bails.
- 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 Third Umpire will check a replay of any short run that has been called and correct any error prior to the next ball being bowled.