ICC committee decides that umpire’s call to remain; reveals limit for squads in ICC senior events

Two changes were also made in women’s ODI cricket playing conditions as well.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board and Committee, headed by former India captain Anil Kumble took some major decisions in their meeting recently which were approved by the ICC.

One of the major points of contentions was the umpire’s call and the current approach to the same.

“The Cricket Committee had an excellent discussion around Umpire’s Call and analyzed 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,” Kumble said.

There were three other changes approved to the DRS and protocols for 3^rd umpire:

1. The height margin of the Wicket Zone for the LBW reviews will be lifted to the top of the stumps to ensure the same Umpire’s Call margin around the stumps for both height and width.

2. A player will be able to ask the umpire whether a genuine attempt has been made to play the ball before deciding to review an LBW decision.

3. The 3rd Umpire will check a replay of any short-run that has been called and correct any error prior to the next ball being bowled.

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It was also decided that the interim COVID-19 regulations that were introduced in 2020 to allow international cricket to resume will continue to be followed. It means that home umpires will be asked to officiate games where neutral umpires were previously required ad hygiene protocols like a ban on saliva will continue.

Two changes have been approved to the women’s ODI playing conditions; firstly, the discretionary 5-over batting powerplay has been removed and secondly, all tied matches will be decided by a Super Over.

Mel Jones (Cricket Australia) and Catherine Campbell (New Zealand Cricket) have been appointed as the Full Member representatives on the ICC Women’s Committee. Also, the ICC board decided to postpone the inaugural CC Women’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2021 which was due to be held in Bangladesh at the end of the year.  

The ICC board also received an update from the BCCI saying they have had positive discussions with the Indian government around tax arrangements and visa guarantees.

The ICC Board agreed to allow Members to take up to seven additional players and/or support staff to accompany the squad of 23 to ICC senior events where a period of quarantine is required and/or teams are accommodated in a bio-secure bubble.

(ICC inputs)