Should the third umpire be used to help make LBW decisions? If so, why?

Answer 1

If you remember the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002, there was an ICC experiment where on-field umpires could consult the third umpire on ANY decision. Quite a few LBW decisions were ruled by the third umpire in that tournament. And it was helpful - at least the batsman got the right decision.

I think the third-umpire should not be allowed to rule a batsman out or not out in an LBW decision. He should be allowed to use replays to give his opinion on things like:
1. If the ball pitched outside the leg stump
2. If the ball hit the pad outside the line
3. Faint nicks
5. Pad-bat decisions
The final decision would lie with the on-field umpires.

I am still not confident about Hawkeye. It is more of a guideline at the moment.

To answer your question - get the third umpire's help, but the decision should lie with the main umpire. As long as the decision is fair, nobody should be complaining.

Answer 2

That's a tough one. The immediate answer is to think yes. As many have said and know LBW's are a grey area. However, giving the decision to the third umpire could make it blotchy. The reason being the two umpires on the field also take into consideration at the time of making their decision different factors including wind, pitch conditions, where the ball pitches, where the batsmen was standing and the list goes on. Although they only may have a few moments to make a decision, with the third umpire not having the knowledge of some of these conditions (ie wind) his decision may be wrong. Thus the decision then not only becomes a grey area, but a blotchy one as well. Therefore, the game will suffer for it as a whole. The players, umpires and the armchair umpires (fans).

Answer 3

No I dont think that the 3rd umpire should be able to help with the LBW.

The more things that you put to the 3rd umpire, the more you are loosing the real cricket. If this does happen then nearly the whole game is gone due to technology. Its good to get the correct decision but I like it when the umpire down on the ground has to make up his mind and fast.

Remember a few years ago and nearly every run-out appeal was handed to the 3rd umpire and nearly everytime the batsmen was way in way out? It was the same in Rugby League, the refferes were too scared to award a try because they knew that there were camerers around so it went stright to the 3rd umpire.

I am happy that its not in soccer or AFL yet at all as it just recks a good game. It wastes time and takes the purity from the game. We tried it when Australia took on the ICC World XI. The players did not like the idea of the replay desicions and thats why that seris failed. Mabye the players would give it thumbs up if Australia did not dominate as much and the umpires did not keep going to the third umpire.

Some sports like tennis need hawkeye to get decisions because the line judges at tennis tourments are just volenters to tell when a ball is in or out. But because they are not experienced like the cricket umpires, hawkeye was introduced as there were lots of mistakes during tennis matches.

So no to 3rd umpire for LBW in Cricket!

Answer 4

Absolutely. As was seen in the second test, wickets turn matches. We can't just sit back and say it's "all part of the game" if a player is given out or not given out incorrectly anymore. We have the technology to make far more accurate decisions. Why stay in the dark ages just because thats how its always been done? The Umpires place in the game will not be jeapordised. They will simply be given better tools to do their job. The third umpire is there, why not use him? Most decisions are dealt with effectively by the ground umpires, but with things like lbw's, where it all happens so quickly, and where the umpire does not have the best position to judge hight and line, the third umpire can more accurately assess the situation.

The game is allowed to change. All things change. Having a third umpire was a major change in the first place, it's not a major streatch to have it's role marginally increased.

Answer 5

The answer is YES.
The third umpire be used to help make LBW decisions.

Not only in Cricket should the Third Umpire be used. But all professional sports were players make a living out of it.

It's different when you are playing a sport for fun at the local club and the umpire gets it wrong. But when it comes down to earning a living from the sport, the decision has to be accurate. That can only be achieved by using the third umpire.

Answer 6

That's a tough one! Without thinking too deeply about it, yes. The third umpire is used in all other decisions, so why not LBW's? However, the traditionalists will say "why?". The game was played just fine before all the modern technology intervened. You simply respected the umpires decision and got on with the game. I believe however, that if cricket doesn't move with the times, it will be left behind. many people watching on TV would be very annoyed to see a member of their favourite team given out by an umpire, when clearly it shows on the replays that he was in fact NOT out, (or visa versa).

Answer 7

The third umpire should not be used to make LBW decisions. There are two umpires on a cricket field, and no-one is in a better position to see whether the ball would have hit than the man standing on the spot. TV cameras, hawkeye and other technology aren't perfect and won't always get the decision right either. Taking the human element out of the game will only make it sterile and less interesting. Technologically, there's probably no need for umpires at all these days, but where would be the fun if that were to happen? No bowlers appealing - because there'd be no-one to appeal to. A 2-3 minute delay on every decision as the 3rd umpire looks at it from every angle. An appeal, followed by a 'not out,' a glare from the bowler and having him walk back to his mark is always going to be better than constant delays, even if it means the umpire gets it wrong sometimes. Imagine last Tuesday morning, with Warne bowling and 2 or 3 appeals an over for lbw or caught being referred to the 3rd umpire. Bowlers wouldn't be able to maintain any rhythm, batsmen would face constant breaks in their concentration, and the crowd would spend half the day looking at that stupid spinning LG sign on the screen. Cricket is such an exciting and dramatic game because of the people who play and umpire it, and reducing their influence on the game will only make it less exciting, infuriating and marvellous.

Answer 8

Yes, the third umpire should perform as many decisions as possible.

This would allow for an even playing field, black and white interpretation of the rules. The on field umpires should only be there to direct traffic and nothing else, after all they are only good for poor decisions.

I will never forgive Billy Bowden for the 2nd Ashes test last year! It cost Australia the Ashes.

As umpires make mistakes in such numbers that are clearly incorrect, when viewed with the aid of technology, therefore decisions should either be made or later corrected with the aid of technology. If a batsman is adjudged 'out' but is clearly 'not out' then he can come back. Conversely, if he is adjudged 'not out' and is clearly 'out' then he must go, and any runs he scored removed as well.

Correct outcomes should be the goal not merely the absurd results created by umpires.

Answer 9

Hello, Fantastic Ashes so far! Totaly enjoying our Summer! Any way, Yes, I think it would help to use the third umpire without it being a Time Issue.(some appeals take the same amount of time as the third umpire.) The Sight and Hearing of many umpires would be affected by different elements of attmosphere and weather. It's not to say the field umpires can't do their job properly, I can tell you I've argued 'till Blue in the face about certain decision's and had to Eat my Words! But, if 'In decisive' or 'unsure', then it doesn't hurt to turn to more sophisticated technology. I'm watching for the love of the game, and My Boy's, so I honestly don't mind waiting a minute for a Fair decision!
P.S. Happy 'late' Birthday, and Sooo SAD to hear about Damien Martyn Retiring, a True Champion, will be missed on the field!
xoxoxo

Answer 10

Yes because there have been a number of questionable decisions been made with the third umpire you can see exactly what the ball did in the air where it pitched then hit and its trajectory so the decision making will be fairer. I am pretty sure LBW is the only mode of dismissal third umpire can't be used (bar bowled, because if it was not a no ball it is out)