ICC to trial new no ball technology

The International Cricket Council announced Saturday the trial of the use of technology to more accurately detect no balls.

The trial, which will be undertaken in England’s five-match one-day international series against Pakistan starting next Wednesday, will see whether the third umpire will be able to detect no balls and relay the information to the on-field umpire within a few seconds.

The third umpire will have access to the four side-on cameras, used for checking no balls, run outs and stumpings, along with instant slow motion replays to determine whether a bowler has overstepped the popping crease.

Throughout the trial, the on-field umpires will not call any front foot no balls without instruction from the third umpire, who will relay the information to the standing officials wearing a ‘pager’ watch.

The ‘pager’ watch will vibrate when the third umpire has deemed a no ball has been bowled. If the ‘pager’ watch fails to work, the third umpire will advise the on-filed umpire through the normal channels of communication. 

"This trial is being carried out to ascertain if there is a way in which front foot no balls can be called more accurately and consistently, while also assessing the TV umpire’s workload and identifying the impact it will have on the flow of the game," ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees, Adrian Griffith, said.

"While we need to find out if the technology set-up for this purpose is fit, at the same time we feel this is the right time to conduct the trial as the TV umpires will have more information than ever before to share with the on-field umpires, which, in turn, will help them in correct decision-making,

"To ensure that the match officials are thoroughly briefed and trained for this trial, the ICC will conduct training sessions with the umpires and match referee in Southampton on Monday and Tuesday. The results of this technology trial will be shared with the ICC Cricket Committee, which will advise the ICC on future action."

After a series of wickets fell on no balls during last summer, Cricket Australia used a piece of equipment on their Test tour of New Zealand to help detect a bowler overstepping at training.

The equipment comprises two lengths of timber that are placed either side of the pitch at the non-striker’s end and are fitted with sensors that align to the return and popping crease.

A beam is relayed to a nearby remote signal box which emits a loud ‘beep’ when a bowler’s foot comes down wholly beyond the front (popping) crease, as well as provide a reading on how far the guilty victim overstepped.

While the equipment in its current iteration is too large to carry as regular kit, progress is being made to reduce the size and weight so it can be transported with the team.

As it currently stands, the on-field umpire can ask the third umpire to check for a front foot no ball on a wicket-taking delivery. 

However, there was controversy in the series when Australia batsman Adam Voges was given a reprieve when the on-field umpire, Richard Illingworth, called a no ball after the batsman shouldered arms and was bowled by Blackcaps paceman Doug Bracewell.

Replays indicated Bracewell did in fact have some of his front foot behind the popping crease, but because the call was made by the on-field umpire it could not be reversed. 

Voges, who was bowled on 7, went on to make 239.