The Third Umpire in Cricket — Role, Powers, and Technology
Everything about the third umpire in cricket: what decisions they review, the technology they use, how the on-field to third umpire referral process works, and their expanding role in modern cricket.
The third umpire — officially called the TV umpire or video umpire — operates from a control room off the field, reviewing footage from multiple broadcast cameras to assist the two on-field umpires. Introduced in 1992 for South Africa vs India in Durban, the third umpire role has expanded enormously since then and now includes a range of decision types beyond the original run-out review.
What the Third Umpire Reviews
- Run-outs: checking whether the ball broke the stumps before the batsman grounded their bat
- Stumpings: verifying the batsman was out of their crease when the bails were broken
- Catch validity: confirming catches were taken cleanly without the ball touching the ground
- Boundary calls: whether the ball crossed the boundary rope before a fielder prevented it
- No-ball check: in some formats, the third umpire checks every delivery for front-foot no-balls (freeing the on-field umpire to focus on the batter)
- DRS reviews: all ball-tracking, edge detection, and hotspot analysis is managed by the third umpire in coordination with technology operators
How an On-Field Referral Works
When an on-field umpire is unsure about a decision (particularly a close run-out or stumping), they signal to the third umpire by making a rectangular TV-screen shape with their fingers. The third umpire reviews available camera angles — typically a minimum of two dedicated close-camera feeds for run-outs. The decision is communicated via earpiece to the on-field umpire, who then signals the outcome to the players and scorers.
Technology at the Third Umpire's Disposal
| Technology | Used For |
|---|---|
| Multi-angle HD cameras | Run-outs, stumpings, catch validity |
| Hawk-Eye ball tracking | LBW reviews, pitching point, impact, trajectory |
| UltraEdge / Snicko | Thin edges for caught behind, bat-pad decisions |
| HotSpot infrared | Edge detection, bat-pad impact confirmation |
| Slow-motion replay | Boundary decisions, catch review |
Growing Powers of the Third Umpire
The third umpire's role has expanded significantly. In the ICC's Smart Replay project and subsequent developments, the third umpire is now proactively reviewing more decisions rather than waiting for referrals. Some boards have discussed giving the third umpire the power to intervene on obvious errors even without a DRS review from a team — though this has not been universally implemented.
Frequently asked questions
When was the third umpire first used in cricket?
The third umpire was first used in a Test match in November 1992, when South Africa hosted India in Durban. It was introduced specifically to review run-out decisions using video replays.
Can the third umpire override the on-field umpire?
The third umpire makes the final call on referrals (DRS reviews and on-field referrals). The on-field umpire signals the third umpire's verdict but cannot override it once received.
What is the TV umpire signal?
When an on-field umpire refers a decision to the third umpire, they make a rectangular TV-screen shape with both index fingers and thumbs — signalling that a TV review is being sought.