Third Umpire in Cricket: TV Review, DRS, and Technology in Officiating
The third umpire sits off the field with access to multiple camera angles and Hawk-Eye technology, reviewing decisions referred by on-field umpires or players. Learn what they can and cannot review.
Who is the third umpire?
In international cricket, the third umpire (also called the TV umpire or review umpire) is an official seated off the field with access to television replays, multiple camera angles, Hawk-Eye ball-tracking, Hot Spot thermal imaging, and the Snickometer. The third umpire reviews decisions referred from the field — either automatically for certain categories (boundary calls, run-out decisions in some formats) or via the DRS (Decision Review System) when a captain challenges an on-field ruling.
What can the third umpire review?
Run-outs and stumpings — the third umpire checks frame-by-frame whether the bat was grounded before the bails were broken. Boundaries — whether a fielder carried the ball over the rope or grounded it before catching on the boundary. DRS reviews for LBW (Hawk-Eye pitch map and impact prediction) and catches (Hot Spot and Snickometer for edges). In some limited-overs formats, the third umpire routinely reviews no-balls in the final overs. The on-field umpires retain authority over most decisions; they refer to the third umpire when uncertain or when a player invokes DRS.
Third umpire vs DRS — the difference
DRS is the formal challenge system by which a captain uses one of their team's reviews to contest an on-field decision. The third umpire is the official who carries out the review — they are not the same thing. A third umpire review can happen without DRS (e.g. automatic boundary check) and DRS uses the third umpire's technology platform. When DRS is unavailable (Test cricket series where the host board opts out, or certain ICC events), third-umpire reviews can still happen for run-outs and boundaries at the on-field umpire's request.
Frequently asked questions
Can the third umpire overturn any decision?
The third umpire can only act on what has been referred. They cannot spontaneously intervene if they notice an error the on-field umpire made and no review was triggered.
What technology does the third umpire use?
Hawk-Eye (ball-tracking for LBW), Hot Spot (thermal imaging for edges), Snickometer/Real-Time Snickometer (audio spike for edges), ultra-motion cameras (run-outs, stumping), and multiple broadcast camera angles.