ENG v PAK 2020: Front-foot no-balls to be called by the third umpire, confirms ICC 

The new method has been extended to the World Test Championship matches between England and Pakistan.

By Kashish Chadha - 05 Aug, 2020

The third umpire will be calling all front-foot no-balls during the three-Test series between hosts England and Pakistan, confirmed the International Cricket Council (ICC) just prior to the first game in Manchester on Wednesday (August 5). 

In hope to free-up some of the burden on on-field officials, the decision recently taken for limited-overs cricket has been extended to the Test championship fixtures, after the new method was officially adopted for the ICC ODI Super League, which saw its first three games when Ireland visited the English shores. 

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"Front foot no-ball technology to be used in ICC World Test Championship series featuring England and Pakistan, with the support of both teams," the ICC tweeted. 

"Performance of the technology in these Tests will be reviewed before any decisions taken on its future use in Test cricket."

The idea of letting the third umpire call no-balls was implemented during this year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia. In men's cricket, this was first trialled during a five-match ODI series between England and Pakistan in 2016 and in the India-West Indies T20I series last year. 

The ICC has acted very well on the recommendation of its Cricket Committee, which suggested putting the onus on the third umpire in wake of the multiple no-balls that had been missed globally. 

The benefit of the doubt, as previously also stated, will continue to be given to the bowler. Also, the on-field umpires will have to take back their decision if a late no-ball is called.

By Kashish Chadha - 05 Aug, 2020

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