CRICKET — One of the most debated aspects of modern cricket is the umpire's call in the Decision Review System (DRS). Introduced to reduce human error, this rule often sparks confusion among fans and players alike. BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team breaks down what umpire's call means, how it works, and why it remains a contentious topic in the sport.
What is Umpire's Call?
Umpire's call refers to a specific scenario in the DRS where the on-field umpire's original decision stands if the ball-tracking technology shows the ball just clipping the stumps. In such cases, the decision is not overturned, even if the technology suggests the ball would have hit the stumps. The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced this rule to maintain the on-field umpire's authority while still allowing for technological assistance.
As former ICC umpire Simon Taufel explains, "Umpire's call is about respecting the human element of the game. If the technology shows the ball is only marginally hitting the stumps, we defer to the umpire's original judgment." This principle ensures that teams cannot overturn close calls purely based on marginal DRS predictions.
How Does It Work?
When a team challenges an LBW (Leg Before Wicket) decision, the third umpire uses ball-tracking technology to predict the ball's path. For the decision to be overturned, the technology must show that:
- The ball was hitting the stumps (not just clipping)
- More than half the ball was inside the impact zone (for pitching and impact)
- The original decision was clearly wrong
If the ball is shown to be just clipping the stumps (less than 50% of the ball hitting), the umpire's original decision stands. This means if the on-field umpire gave it out, it remains out, and if it was not out, the batter survives.
Why Is It Controversial?
Critics argue that umpire's call creates inconsistency. If the technology shows the ball would have hit the stumps, why should the original decision matter? Former England captain Nasser Hussain once remarked, "It feels like we're saying the technology is right, but not right enough to change the decision. That doesn’t make sense to fans."
Supporters, however, believe it prevents excessive overturning of decisions. As umpire Kumar Dharmasena noted, "Without umpire's call, we’d see too many marginal decisions reversed, which would slow the game and undermine the umpire's role."
Recent Changes to the Rule
In 2021, the ICC tweaked the rule to reduce confusion. Previously, if the ball was shown to be clipping the stumps, the on-field call stood regardless of the original decision. Now, if the umpire gave it out and the ball is clipping, it stays out, but if the umpire gave it not out, the batter survives. This adjustment aimed to balance fairness while preserving the umpire's authority.
Key Examples in Cricket
One of the most famous umpire's call moments occurred in the 2019 Ashes when England's Ben Stokes survived an LBW appeal against Australia. The ball was shown to be clipping the stumps, so the not out decision stood. Stokes went on to score a match-winning century, proving how pivotal umpire's call can be.
Another instance was in the 2023 World Test Championship final, where India’s Virat Kohli was given out on umpire's call after a DRS review. The decision sparked debates, with Kohli visibly frustrated, but the rule was correctly applied.
The Future of Umpire's Call
The ICC continues to review the rule, with some suggesting removing it entirely in favor of a binary hitting or missing system. However, others argue that eliminating umpire's call would lead to more overturned decisions, disrupting the flow of the game.
As technology improves, the margin for error decreases, but for now, umpire's call remains a fundamental part of cricket’s DRS. Whether loved or loathed, it ensures that the human element of umpiring isn’t entirely replaced by machines.
In the words of ICC's Geoff Allardice, "Umpire's call is about balance—between technology and tradition, precision and practicality. It’s not perfect, but it works for now."