LBW decisions - Why can't they leave it to the third umpires ?

Question

Everybody including ICC know that a wrong decision by an umpire could turn a match upside down, with all the hi-fi technologies in hand why can't they make it a rule for the umpires to refer to the third umpire for lbw appeals, i mean all the lbw appeals even if it is plumb. It could even save a batsman's career. What is stopping them from making such rules ? Anybody got any idea?

Also, does anybody know what action is taken against the umpires responsible for such bad decisions ?

Yes. I agree that they should refer the third umpire only if they have a doubt. But in that case they should.

Answer 1

While it is a good suggestion, if all the lbw decisions are referred to 3rd umpire, it will be eroding the role and authority of field umpires. hence I feel that only if the umpire has got any doubt, then only reference should be made to 3rd umpire just as run out decisions.

There is no provision to take any action against the umpire if he gives a wrong decision. However, such wrong decisions will adversely affect the record of the umpire.

Answer 2

Well I've seen those hi-tech things get the answer very wrong.

But there's a much bigger reason ... Imagine going to the third ump every time Warne or Mulitharan appealed? It would be woeful.

If an umpire was only left with one doubt (say 'did the ball hit the bat?' or 'was it too high?'), then perhaps then we could go to the box but the correct decision in that case is actually "not out"!

I think it would be a shame as the personalities and skills of umpires have been central to this great game for more than a century.

One last thought - would new records under a third umpire scheme be comparable to old ones. Effectively the benefit of the doubt would be removed.

Answer 3

I think "LBW & Run Out" should be gived to the 3rd umpire to decide wether its out or not, cus ive seen that most of the time the 1-2 umpire goes wrong in these two allot.

Answer 4

UR right they should do this when they can confirm whether a person is out or not out instead of umpires decisions
if an umpire makes a wrong decision nothing happens only his reputation gets mixed with sand(people will oppose him),

Answer 5

They refer almost all run-out or stumping decisions to the 3rd umpire nowadays, so I am unable to comprehend what's the big deal in them burdening a bit more with the LBW decisions also.

Answer 6

they can be left to 3rd umpire but everyone s feeling that cricket will be americanised then. nobody wants that. also the respect 2 umpire on field will be reduced

Answer 7

Sometimes it is been umpired by T.V.umpire that is Third umpire.

Answer 8

we have the new technology but we have seen a lot of times where u cant decide it its out or not, we have the snicko meter, the hi camera, the hotspot, the graphics but even after that there were sometimes where even the technology couldnt tell if it was right or not.

Answer 9

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 10

No way how long do you think it would take!!!!!!!!
If they are getting close ones 2 times an over you would only get 70 overs in a day!