ICC approves change in LBW rule
At its annual conference, ICC approved changes to LBW umpire's call in DRS conditions. According to it, for on-field lbw decisions to be overturned, 50% of the ball would now need to hit a zone of stumps that also borders outside of off and leg stumps. Old rule required 50% of the ball to hit a zone between center of off and leg stumps.
What is the LBW rule?
In simple terms, an umpire will consider an LBW or Leg-before-wicket dismissal if he believes that the ball would have hit the stumps had its path not been obstructed by the batsman's pads or body.
Law 36 - the LBW rule
The Marylebone Cricket Club, the sole authority on laws of cricket, in its Law 36, concerning leg-before-wicket dismissal, states that four points need to be considered for the decision. They include, height of the ball when it hits the pads, distance of batsman from the crease, area of pitching of the ball and if the batsman hit the ball before it stuck his pads.
The Umpire Decision Review System
Umpire Decision Review System/DRS is an in-game review process used at a team's request to determine whether an on-field umpire's decision was correct. DRS consists of a combination of technologies including TV cameras' footage, Hawkeye ball-tracking system, Hot Spot, an infrared camera system that highlights parts of body and bat hit by the ball, and Snicko, a waveform of sound captured by stump microphone.
DRS most significant in LBW
Launched first in Nov 2009 during a test match between New Zealand and Pakistan, DRS has had its most significant impact on LBW decisions.
BCCI's anit-DRS stance
Ever since it was first used in international cricket, DRS has polarized opinion. Started as a compulsory system, DRS was later made optional by ICC. BCCI, the most powerful ICC member, has been firmly against DRS. The prominent reasons being: Indian board wary of the system not being foolproof, specifically the lack of 100% accuracy in ball-tracking technology, and high costs of implementing it.
New LBW rule to benefit bowlers
New LBW rule will come into effect from 1 October, or from the start of any series using DRS that would begin prior to this date. The amendment to 'marginally expand the striking zone' will benefit bowlers and more batsmen will be given out once on-field decisions are referred. Further, concerning 'no-balls', ICC said it will hold trials allowing third umpire to call 'no-balls'.
