India Vs West Indies: Third umpires to decide whether to call front-foot no balls, as per the decision made by the ICC ahead of West Indies tour.
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The long-run debate for the front-foot no ball has finally ended as the International cricket council decides to make the third umpire the in charge of making a n0 ball call in the match.
The decision is set to be implemented first in the upcoming India Vs West Indies series, where the rule will be applied in both T20I and ODI format.
A decision that was made earlier in August by the ruling council was officially announced on Thursday and the technology that the third umpires will use to detect the no-balls will be on trial during the said series.
“Throughout the trial, the Third Umpire will be responsible for monitoring every ball bowled and identifying whether there has been any front foot infringement,” the ICC said in a statement.
“If there has been an infringement on the front foot, the Third Umpire will communicate this to the On-Field Umpire who will subsequently call a no ball. As a result, the On-Field Umpire will not call a front foot no ball without the advice of the Third Umpire,” it added.
However, the ICC has clarified that the benefit of the doubt in close calls will lie with the bowler and the on-field umpires will take the final calls in case of a late no-ball call by the third umpire.
“…and if a late no ball call is communicated, then the On-Field Umpire will rescind a dismissal (if applicable) and call no ball. The On-Field Umpire will remain responsible for other in-game decisions in the usual way,” the ICC revealed.
“The outcomes of the trial will be used to gauge whether the system has a beneficial impact on the accuracy of no ball decisions and whether it can be implemented while minimising disruption to the flow of the game.
“If a late no ball call is communicated, then the On-Field Umpire will rescind a dismissal (if applicable) and call no ball. The On-Field Umpire will remain responsible for other in-game decisions in the usual way.”
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This is not for the first time of the implementation of this rule, it was trialled back in 2016 during a series between England and Pakistan, but not in a broader spectrum.
“Throughout the trial, the Third Umpire will be responsible for monitoring every ball bowled and identifying whether there has been any front foot infringement. If there has been an infringement on the front foot, the Third Umpire will communicate this to the On-Field Umpire who will subsequently call a no ball. As a result, the On-Field Umpire will not call a front foot no ball without the advice of the Third Umpire.”
