The third umpire and DRS have changed how close decisions are made in modern cricket. Instead of relying only on the two on-field umpires, teams can now ask technology to check tight calls. This guide explains what the third umpire does, how the Decision Review System (DRS) works, what tools like ball-tracking and edge detection show, and the often-confusing rule known as umpire’s call.
Who Is the Third Umpire?
The third umpire is an off-field official who sits in a room with access to television replays and technology. While two umpires stand on the field, the third umpire reviews decisions that are hard to judge with the naked eye. Their job is to use slow-motion replays and tracking tools to give the most accurate verdict possible.
The third umpire handles line decisions such as run outs and stumpings, checks for no-balls, confirms catches that may have carried, and processes player reviews under the DRS. On-field umpires can also refer a decision upstairs when they are unsure.
For a run out or stumping, the third umpire looks at the exact frame when the bails are dislodged and checks whether any part of the batter’s bat or body is grounded behind the popping crease. A green light or red light then flashes on the big screen. These line decisions were among the first to be handed to the third umpire, long before full ball-tracking review systems existed, because slow-motion replays clearly show whether a batter was in or out.
What Is the Decision Review System (DRS)?
The Decision Review System lets players challenge an on-field umpire’s decision they believe is wrong. If a batter thinks they were wrongly given out, or a fielding captain believes a not-out call was a mistake, they can signal for a review by making a “T” shape with their arms within a short time limit, usually about 15 seconds.
The third umpire then studies the replays and technology, and either upholds or overturns the original decision. DRS was introduced to reduce clear umpiring errors, especially in high-stakes matches. It is now standard in international cricket and in major leagues like the IPL.
The Technology Behind DRS
Several tools help the third umpire reach a decision:
- Ball-tracking: Cameras track the ball’s path and predict where it would have gone. This is central to LBW reviews, showing whether the ball would have hit the stumps.
- Edge detection (UltraEdge or Snicko): A sound-based tool that shows whether the ball touched the bat or pad, helping with caught-behind and LBW calls.
- Hot Spot: An infrared camera that highlights where the ball made contact, sometimes used to confirm fine edges.
- Slow-motion replays: Used for run outs, stumpings, catches and no-ball checks.
For LBW reviews these tools are combined: edge detection rules out an inside edge, then ball-tracking shows the projected path. Understanding LBW itself helps here, and these decisions tie directly into how cricket scoring works when wickets fall.
What Is “Umpire’s Call”?
Umpire’s call is the part of DRS that confuses many fans. It applies mainly to LBW reviews. When ball-tracking shows the ball only just clipping the stumps — within a small margin — the original on-field decision stands, whether that was out or not out.
The idea is that the technology is not precise enough to overrule a marginal decision, so the on-field umpire’s judgement is respected. This is why two very similar-looking LBW appeals can produce different results: if the umpire gave one out and one not out, umpire’s call can keep both decisions as they were. It also means a team can lose a review even when the ball is shown to be just clipping the stumps.
For an LBW to be overturned to out, three things generally must line up: the ball must pitch in a legal area, make impact in line with the stumps (unless no shot was offered), and be projected to hit the stumps clearly rather than just clip them. If any of these falls into the umpire’s-call margin, the on-field decision stands. Indian fans saw plenty of debate over this in close India-Australia and India-England Test series, where a single umpire’s-call verdict sometimes decided a session.
How Many Reviews Does a Team Get?
Each team is given a set number of unsuccessful reviews per innings. In most international cricket this is two failed reviews per innings in Tests and limited-overs games, though the exact number has varied over time and by competition. If a review is successful, the team keeps it; if it fails, they lose one.
This makes reviews a strategic resource. Captains must avoid wasting them on hopeful appeals, because a genuine error later in the innings might go uncorrected if no reviews remain. Good teams use DRS carefully, often consulting the bowler and wicketkeeper before signalling. The rules for these systems are set by the International Cricket Council and updated from time to time.
A common mistake is the “tail-ender review”, where a captain burns a review on a marginal LBW against a lower-order batter early in the innings, then has none left when a top-order batter is wrongly given out later. The best sides treat reviews almost like a limited budget, spending them only when the wicketkeeper and bowler agree the on-field call looks clearly wrong rather than acting on emotion.
Why the Third Umpire and DRS Matter
Together, the third umpire and DRS aim to get the big decisions right without slowing the game too much. They have reduced obvious howlers, added a new layer of strategy, and given fans the drama of waiting for the big screen to flash “OUT” or “NOT OUT”. Like a tense super over in cricket, a DRS review can become a defining moment of a match. They are not perfect, and umpire’s call still sparks debate, but they have made cricket fairer overall.
A Worked Example: How an LBW Review Unfolds
Seeing the steps in order removes much of the confusion. Suppose a bowler appeals for LBW, the on-field umpire says not out, and the fielding captain reviews:
- Edge check first: the third umpire runs UltraEdge to see whether the ball touched the bat before the pad. A clear spike means not out, and the review ends there.
- Pitching: ball-tracking shows where the ball pitched. If it pitched outside leg stump, the batter is not out, whatever happens next.
- Impact: the system checks whether the ball struck the pad in line with the stumps. If the impact is outside off and a shot was offered, it is not out.
- Wickets (hitting): finally, the projected path shows whether the ball would have hit the stumps. A clear hit means the not-out call is overturned to out.
If at the final stage the ball is shown only clipping the stumps within the small margin, the verdict reverts to umpire’s call, the original not-out stands, and the fielding side keeps or loses a review depending on the playing conditions. Each stage must pass before the next is considered, which is why some reviews are decided in a second and others take much longer.
DRS Across Formats: A Quick Comparison
The principles are the same in every format, but the details differ. The table gives a general picture; exact numbers can change between competitions.
| Format | Typical unsuccessful reviews per innings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Test | Usually three per innings | Long innings, so more reviews are allowed |
| ODI | Usually two per innings | Reset is not available mid-innings |
| T20I | Usually two per innings | Quick decisions, short time limit to signal |
Because the numbers have changed over the years and vary by tournament, always check the playing conditions for the specific series. The key point is that reviews are a scarce, per-innings resource rather than unlimited.
Common Mistakes Captains Make With Reviews
Reviews are lost far more often through emotion than through bad luck. The classic error is the heat-of-the-moment review straight after a loud appeal, signalled before the bowler and keeper have given an honest opinion on whether there was an edge or whether the ball pitched in line. Another is the “tail-ender review”, spending a precious review on a marginal call against a number eleven early on, then having none left when a key batter is wrongly given out later. A third is waiting too long and missing the roughly 15-second window, which wastes the chance entirely. The strongest sides treat reviews like a small budget and spend them only when two or three players genuinely agree the on-field call looks wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the third umpire decide?
The third umpire rules on close calls using replays and technology. This includes run outs, stumpings, catches that may not have carried, no-ball checks, and player reviews under DRS. On-field umpires refer tight decisions upstairs when they cannot be sure.
What is umpire’s call in DRS?
Umpire’s call applies to marginal LBW reviews. If ball-tracking shows the ball only just clipping the stumps, the on-field umpire’s original decision stands. Because the margin is small, the technology is not treated as precise enough to overturn the call.
How many DRS reviews does a team have?
Teams generally get two unsuccessful reviews per innings in international cricket, though numbers have changed over the years and by format. A successful review is retained, while a failed one is lost, so captains must use reviews wisely.
Can the third umpire check for a no-ball?
Yes. In many matches the third umpire automatically checks the bowler’s front foot for a no-ball whenever a wicket falls. If it was a no-ball, the dismissal is cancelled and, in limited-overs cricket, a free hit usually follows the next delivery.
Does a team lose a review on an umpire’s call decision?
Under current playing conditions a review that results in umpire’s call is normally retained, not lost, because the technology could not conclusively overturn the on-field decision. The original call simply stands. Exact handling can vary by competition, so checking the series rules is wise.
Who can ask for a DRS review?
Only the players on the field can request a player review: the batter who has been given out, or the fielding captain for a not-out decision. Spectators, coaches and the dressing room cannot trigger it. Separately, on-field umpires can refer some decisions, such as line calls, to the third umpire themselves.
Conclusion
The third umpire and DRS bring technology to cricket’s toughest moments: ball-tracking, edge detection and replays help correct clear mistakes, while umpire’s call protects the on-field decision on the finest margins. With only a limited number of reviews, teams must use them smartly. To round out your knowledge of the laws, read our guide on the free hit rule in cricket, which the third umpire often helps enforce after a no-ball.
