The much debated Umpire’s Call in Decision Review System (DRS) will continue to be a part of the game, the Anil Kumble-led ICC Cricket Committee confirmed after the board meeting on Wednesday, March 31st.
“The Cricket Committee had an excellent discussion around Umpire’s Call and analysed its use extensively,” Kumble said in the statement issued by ICC.
A slight change has been introduced in the rule, with the ‘wicket zone’ slightly extended to the top of the bails. Earlier it was only till the bottom of the bails, which often brought it under scrutiny. Although, if the ball clips the bail and not touches any part of the wicket, it’ll stay under the Umpire’s call verdict.
“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…Umpire’s Call allows that to happen, which is why it is important it remains,” the former Indian leg spinner clarified.
Umpire’s call has been a major debate in the aftermath of the Indian skipper Virat Kohli calling terming it as ‘confusing’ during the recently-concluded series against England. The slight tweak in the original rule comes ahead of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League.
The ICC Cricket Committee included another major change in the DRS rule related to LBWs. The fielding side can now investigate with the on-field umpires if the batsman was playing a shot before deciding to go upstairs for the review.
Apart from this, the third-umpire has also been authorised to clear any error made by the on-field umpires with the assistance of replay footage before the next ball is bowled.
It was also decided after the latest board members meeting that the interim COVID-19 regulations, introduced in 2020 since the resumption of the game, will continue to be followed in the international circuit. The decision paves way for the home umpires once again to officiate games. More importantly, the committee persisted with the ban on shining the ball with saliva.