Third umpire lights at Melbourne Cricket Ground

The third umpire (or TV Umpire) is an off-

field Field may refer to: Expanses of open ground * Field (agriculture), an area of land used for agricultural purposes * Airfield, an aerodrome that lacks the infrastructure of an airport * Battlefield * Lawn, an area of mowed grass * Meadow, a grass ...

umpire An umpire is an official in a variety of sports and competition, responsible for enforcing the rules of the sport, including sportsmanship decisions such as ejection. The term derives from the Old French nonper, ''non'', "not" and ''per'', ...

used in some

cricket Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striki ...

matches, particularly

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matches. Their role is to make the final decision in questions referred to them by the two on-field umpires or the players. The third umpire is also there to act as an emergency on-field umpire if required.

History

The third umpire was conceptualized by former Sri Lankan domestic cricketer, and current cricket writer Mahinda Wijesinghe. It debuted in Test cricket in November 1992 at

Kingsmead Kingsmead may refer to: Places in England * Kingsmead, Bath, an electoral ward in Somerset ** Kingsmead Square, Bath * Kingsmead, Cheshire * Kingsmead, a district of Shenley Brook End in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Other uses * Kingsmead ...

Durban Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...

for the South Africa vs. India series.

Karl Liebenberg Karl Liebenberg (born 22 October 1947) is a former South African cricket umpire. He stood in nine Test matches between 1992 and 1995 and 33 ODI games between 1992 and 1996. See also * List of Test cricket umpires * List of One Day Internationa ...

was the third umpire with Cyril Mitchley the on-field umpire, referring the run-out decision in this match.

Sachin Tendulkar Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (; ; born 24 April 1973) is an Indian former international cricketer who captained the Indian national team. He is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He is the all time highest run-scor ...

became the first batsman to be dismissed (

run out Run out is a method of dismissal in cricket, governed by Law 38 of the Laws of Cricket. A run out usually occurs when the batsmen are attempting to run between the wickets, and the fielding team succeed in getting the ball to one wicket befo ...

) by using television replays in the second day of the Test scoring 11.

Appointment

The third umpire is appointed from the

Elite Panel of ICC Umpires The Elite Panel of ICC Umpires is a panel of cricket umpires appointed by the International Cricket Council to officiate in Test matches and One Day Internationals around the world. The panel was first established in April 2002 when the ICC deci ...

or the

International Panel of ICC Umpires The International Panel of ICC Umpires was established by the ICC in 1994 following trial in 1992/3, to ensure that one neutral umpire would stand in every Test match.Test matches Test match in some sports refers to a sporting contest between national representative teams and may refer to: * Test cricket * Test match (indoor cricket) * Test match (rugby union) * Test match (rugby league) * Test match (association football) ...

, ODIs, and T20Is. For all Test matches, and for ODIs where DRS is used, the third umpire is appointed by the ICC, and is a different nationality to the two sides. For ODIs where DRS is ''not'' used, and for all T20Is, the third umpire is appointed by the home side's

Governing body A governing body is a group of people that has the authority to exercise governance over an organization or political entity. The most formal is a government, a body whose sole responsibility and authority is to make binding decisions in a taken ge ...

Functions

Decision requests

An on-field umpire can, at his own discretion, use a radio link to refer particular types of close decision to the third umpire, this is called an Umpire Review. When the full

Umpire Decision Review System The Decision Review System (DRS), formerly known as the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS), is a technology-based system used in cricket to assist the match officials in their decision-making. On-field umpires may choose to consult with the thi ...

is ''not'' in use, the third umpire uses television replays (only) to assist him in coming to a decision. When the full DRS is in use, players can also initiate reviews of particular decisions by the on-field umpires, this is called a Player Review. These are judged by the third umpire, and the third umpire has the full range of technology available beyond simple replays, for both Umpire Reviews and Player Reviews.

Emergency on-field umpire

In the case of injury or illness to one of the on-field umpires, the third umpire will take his place. The third umpire duties will then be taken on by the

Fourth umpire The fourth umpire (sometimes referred to as the reserve umpire), is a cricket umpire. For all international matches a fourth umpire is required to perform duties like bringing on the new ball, carrying drinks on to the field for the umpires, checki ...

. For example, during the 4th ODI between Australia and India at Canberra in 2015–16, umpire

Richard Kettleborough Richard Allan Kettleborough (born 15 March 1973) is an English international cricket umpire, and former first-class cricketer who appeared in 33 first-class matches for Yorkshire and Middlesex. He was a left-handed top order batsman and occasio ...

was injured during Australia's innings and was replaced by third umpire Paul Wilson.

History

Appointment

Functions

Decision requests

Emergency on-field umpire

References

See also