Dale Steyn opines over the recent "no-ball" controversy, suggests an idea for TV umpire’s role

There was widespread debate over a controversial call during the final T20I between Bangladesh and West Indies.

West Indies skipper Carlos Braithwaite had a lengthy discussion with on-field umpires at the time | AFP

During the recently held third T20I between West Indies and Bangladesh in Dhaka, a controversy transpired that reached out to everyone's notice but could easily have been avoided through some wiser use of the available technology.

A no-ball call denied the visitors a crucial wicket where the on-field umpire termed the ball from pacer Oshane Thomas that got out in-form batsman Liton Das, as an illegal delivery. But TV footage later showed that Thomas’ foot landed well behind the popping crease.

Considering DRS is the decision and not dismissal review system, skipper Carlos Braithwaite asked for the call to be sent upstairs to the third umpire but since laws state that a no-ball decision can be reviewed only if the on-field umpire makes a no-ball call, the batsman got reprieved.

This resulted in some heated discussions being observed between captain Braithwaite and match referee Jeff Crowe from New Zealand.

Though West Indies later won the game as well as the series, 2-1, the infamous incident got intimated even to South African legend Dale Steyn.

Arguably the greatest fast bowler ever finally got aware of the whole issue and took to the social media network, Twitter, to opine over it.

"Just saw the “no ball” incident in the game WI vs Bangladesh," Steyn wrote, "Surely it’s time the 3rd umpire sitting with all the tv technology, can he/she not monitor the front foot, bouncer height etc and leave the on-field umps to just make decisions at the batter's end? #askingforafriend"

The wise suggestion from Steyn can ensure an enhanced focus from the on-field umpires towards rest of the important decision making, while the third umpire uses technology to better investigate the no-balls.

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 26 Dec, 2018

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