ICC to try new no-ball detection technology in Pak-Eng ODIs

Adding more colors of technology to cricket, the International Cricket Council has announced that it would conduct a trial to enable TV umpires instead of field umpires to call no-balls.

The trial will be conducted during the five-match ODI series between Pakistan and England, starting on August 4 and, according to the ICC, the field umpires will not directly call for the front foot no-ball. Any decision regarding the no-balls will be signaled after an instant message from the TV umpires.

"This trial is being conducted in attempt to better understand whether the third umpire is able to use instant replays to call front foot no-balls more accurately in international cricket," said an ICC spokesman.

"The third umpire will be able to judge front foot no-balls within a few seconds of the ball being delivered and communicate this to the on-field umpire,” the spokesman added.

The spokesman further added that during the Pakistan vs England ODI series, the on-field umpire will not call any front foot no-balls without the third umpire's advice, unless the side-on cameras are unavailable.

The spokesman, while explaining the new technology, stated that the four dedicated side-on run-out cameras that are part of the broadcast coverage will be provided on split-screen feed to help the TV umpire judge no-balls.

"The on-field umpires will wear pager watches, which will vibrate as soon as the TV umpire communicates to them that a front foot no-ball has been bowled. If for some reason the signal is not sent through the pager, then the third umpire will use the normal verbal communications system," the spokesman elaborated.

Explaining the idea behind bringing this technology in limited-overs cricket, the ICC has outlined a six-point agenda as a possible outcome for the trials.

The six-point outcome includes:

1. To identify if the technology set up is fit for the purpose and identify areas to be improved.
2. To ensure the routines of the 3rd Umpire and Match Referee are appropriate given the additional workload and judgment expectations.
3. To identify the accuracy and timing issues of the 3rd Umpire judgment and notification.
4. Identify impact on the on-field umpire's role.
5. Identify impact on the 3rd Umpire role.
6. Identify impact on the flow of the game and the game in general.

During the trial period, according to ICC, an SOP has been decided in an attempt to achieve the tasked outcome of the procedure.

The six point SOP on how the trial would work are:

1. The on-field umpire is not to call any front foot no-balls without 3rd umpire advice.
2. The third umpire will use technology to monitor every delivery bowled with respect to front foot fairness and call no-ball through to the on-field umpire if there is an infringement.
3. The 3rd umpire will apply conclusive evidence protocols as they do currently and any benefit of the doubt is with the bowler.
4. The 'call' will be communicated via vibrating watch that is controlled from the 3rd umpire's room.
5. The on-field umpire will make decisions like LBW, caught, leg byes, boundaries, and wides in the usual way.
6. If a late no-ball is advised the on-field umpire will revoke 'out' decisions and call and signal no ball.

Commenting on the decision, the ICC’s senior manager of umpires and referees, Adrian Griffith, said: "This trial is being carried out to ascertain if there is a way in which front foot no balls can be called more accurately and consistently.

"To ensure that the match officials are thoroughly briefed and trained for this trial, the ICC will conduct training sessions with the umpires and match referee in Southampton on Monday and Tuesday," he added.

According to the ICC, the results of this technology trial will be shared with the ICC Cricket Committee, which will advise the ICC on future action.