Third umpire to monitor front-foot no-balls in India-WI series

HYDERABAD, India: The limited-overs series between India and West Indies, which begin on Friday (today) with a T20I, will have front-foot no-balls exclusively monitored by the third umpires.

Announcing the development on Thursday, the ICC said that the on-field umpires would be responsible for all other decisions “in the usual way” while the third umpire would monitor every ball for overstepping.

“If there has been an infringement on the front foot,” the ICC said, “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”.

In the scenario where even the third umpire finds it hard to call a no-ball based on the pictures, the ICC said the “benefit of doubt” will be with the bowler. And if a batsman has been ruled out off a ball that is later called a no-ball by the third umpire, he can be called back to resume his innings.

“It’s important to note that any benefit of the doubt lies with the bowler, 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 ICC said in a statement.

This is the second time that the ICC is trialling technology to monitor overstepping in international cricket, with the first one coming in a 2016 ODI series between England and Pakistan.

“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,” the ICC said.