DRS gets an upgrade; ICC ignores Virat Kohli's concern
The International Cricket Council concluded its Board and Committee meetings that were held virtually. Critical decisions were taken, including the Decision Review System, where the leg-before call has seen an upgrade. However, the Umpires’ Call stays.
FollowThe much-awaited Board and Committee meetings conducted by the International Cricket Council have come to an end. The sessions were held virtually, owing to the travel restrictions due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
Plenty of topics were discussed, while the most important of all happened to be the Decision Review System, involving the leg-before calls. There were calls, especially from Indian skipper Virat Kohli, to do away with the controversial Umpires’ Call and introduce a legit Out or Not Out rule.
However, the ICC has stated that the Umpires’ Call is here to stay since the Hawk-Eye (ball tracking) technology is not 100% foolproof. “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,” said ICC Cricket Committee chairperson Anil Kumble.
Nonetheless, it did give it an upgrade in the form of the impact zone vertically. Previously, the impact zone was until the wicket top, while the bails were not considered. However, the impact zone has now been increased to the top of the bails, making sense since bails play an essential role in any dismissal involving the stumps.
Meanwhile, there were no discussions held on the controversial ‘soft signal’. Critics had demanded to do away with the ‘soft signal’ and having the third umpire have the final say. In the meantime, the ‘soft signal’ will not be a part of the upcoming Indian Premier League.
Among other upgrades in the DRS and third umpire’s role:
- A player can ask the umpire for a genuine attempt to play the ball before taking a call on reviewing an LBW decision.
- The third umpire will also check through a replay for any short-run and overturn a wrong on-field call for the same before the following delivery.
- Meanwhile, the existing laws introduced in lines with the COVID-19 pandemic are here to stay.
Among the other key decisions taken during the meetings:
- There will be no five-over batting powerplay in Women’s One-Day Internationals, while tied matches are to be decided by Super-Over.
- Test and ODI status to be permanently awarded to Full Member women’s sides.
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India has held positive talks with the Indian government over tax arrangements and visa guarantees for ICC World T20 2021.
- The inaugural ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup would be held in 2023 instead of this year.
- Squad limit for ICC events increased to 30 from 23.
