On two occasions in this Test Match, a catch has been referred, and in the process, whether or not the batsman got a touch has come into question. This is due to a subtle change in the ICC's Third Umpire Review regulations. See Appendix 4 here. (pdf)
The on-field umpire shall be entitled to refer an appeal for a caught decision to the third umpire in the following circumstances:
3.1 Clean Catches
a) Should the bowler’s end umpire be unable to decide whether or not a catch was taken cleanly, he shall first consult with the square leg umpire.
b) Should both umpires be unable to make a decision, they may consult by two-way radio with the third umpire. Following such consultation, the final decision will be made and given by the bowler’s end umpire, who will take into account the on-field umpires’ initial views and any other advice received from the third umpire.
c) The third umpire has to determine whether the batsman has been caught. However, when reviewing the television replay(s), if it is clear to the third umpire that the batsman did not hit the ball, he shall indicate that the batsman is not out. See also paragraph 6 below.
d) The final decision shall be indicated in the normal fashion by the bowler’s end umpire.
3.2 Bump Ball
a) Should the bowler’s end umpire be unable to decide whether a catch was taken from a bump ball or not, he shall first consult with the square leg umpire.
b) Should both on-field umpires be unable to make a decision, the bowler’s end umpire shall be entitled to refer the decision to the third umpire to review a TV replay(s) of the batsman’s stroke as in paragraph 2.2.
c) The third umpire has to determine whether the ball was a bump ball or not. However, when reviewing the television replay(s), if it is clear to the third umpire that the batsman did not hit the ball, he shall indicate that the batsmen is not out. See also paragraph 6 below.
d) The third umpire shall communicate his decision by the system as in paragraph 2.3.This provision has been in place (using almost exactly the same language) in the ICC's annual update of the Standard Test Match Playing Conditions since 2008-09, with the exception of the 2009-10 when DRS was mandatory in all Tests.
I wish they would add a third point which allows the TV Umpire to intervene if he conclusively finds the presence or absence of contact, based on the technology available in a given host country. That, in addition to these two clauses, would cover all eventualities for mistakes (i.e. a decision being made one way when conclusive evidence is available the other way) to be caught and corrected.
Some people say that this would cause the Umpires to check all the time. This is far from clear. The overwhelming majority of overs in a Test Match do not see players appealing for decisions.
With a couple of small tweaks, the current Third Umpire Review system could fulfill the ICC's ambition of getting rid of howlers altogether.
My position on this is that it is good for the game as long the law explicitly allows the umpire to check for an edge. This whole process of the the umpire gaming the system and arriving at the decision through this convoluted process leaves a bad aftertaste. It's just not Cricket if the umpires themselves start exploiting the law.
ReplyDeleteIt's time for ICC to take notice and amend the law to allow the on-field umpire to check for edges. This minor tweak will also reduce all the controversy about India not allowing DRS.
The replays checking for whether part of a fielder's clothing touched the boundary rope as he touched the ball wastes a lot more time on a far more trivial point. I'd just declare that it is a boundary only if it actually crosses the rope and not bother whether the fielder is touching the rope. It is both more sensible and practical.
But, as it exists, Erasmus should at least get a rap on the knuckles from the match referee for his conduct. There is so much talk about 'Spirit of the Game' and the players' behavior - it should be unacceptable for an Umpire to not follow the spirit of the law.
Sashank