Front-foot no-balls to be called by third umpire in World Cup Super League

The outrage after seeing the field umpire missing a clear front-foot violation from the bowler is likely to be resolved. The ICC has finally decided to hand the no-ball calling duties to the third umpire. The move had been in discussion for the last few months and it was trialled on an experimental basis. The ICC has added it to the playing conditions of the upcoming ICC World Cup Super League, which starts this week.

Also read: ICC launches inaugural Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League

ICC’s general manager of cricket operations, Geoff Allardice, confirmed the development on Monday (27th July). “It is something that will be used on Thursday (between Ireland and England) and for the series to be played. Certainly, there is the importance of the free hit in white-ball cricket and getting no-balls called accurately. That is considered to be an important feature. The Cricket Committee has recommended that and it’s in the playing conditions for the World Cup Super League,” he said.

The field umpire will now have an extra second or so to judge the decisions in front of him rather than concentrating at the bowler’s front foot. Many umpires were unable to call the front-foot no-balls correctly, which were only spotted in later replays. This was primarily noticed when a wicket fell but there may have been very frequent instances of such violations being unnoticed.

The change will come in to play with the first ODI between England and Ireland at the Ageas Bowl on Thursday, 30th July. This will be the opening game of the ICC ODI Super League which will determine the participants for the 2023 World Cup.