Twenty four years after it’s introduction to cricket matches, the third umpire system has seen a few changes during the ongoing World Twenty20.
Introduced in Test Cricket during the Indian team’s tour of South Africa in 1992, it was the brainchild of former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahinda Wijesinghe. The third umpire was first introduced in Test cricket in 1992 at Kingsmead in Durban.
But the third umpire was hiterto a mute observer, silently putting forth his verdict through the big screen in the stadium after watching several replays from different angles.
But at this year’s World T20, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced the practice of allowing a third umpire a detailed commentary as he looks at replays from different angles before delivering the final verdict. It also allows television viewers to hear the conversation between the third umpire and on-field umpires.
This new practice has added to the overall viewer experience as the television audience is now privy to an aspect of the game that was earlier out of bounds earlier.
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