History of the Third Umpire in Cricket
The third umpire uses TV replays to assist with on-field decisions. Learn when the third umpire was introduced, how the role has evolved, and what decisions they are responsible for.
What Is the Third Umpire?
The third umpire is an off-field official positioned in front of a TV monitor who assists the two on-field umpires with close decisions. They are consulted when a decision cannot be made confidently with the naked eye at full speed.
When Was the Third Umpire Introduced?
The third umpire was first used in international cricket in the 1992–93 series between India and South Africa, making it one of cricket's earliest technology experiments. The initial role was limited to run-out and stumping decisions where a TV replay could clearly show whether the batter was in or out of the crease.
Evolution of the Third Umpire's Role
- 1992: Introduced for run-out and stumping reviews
- 2002: Referrals expanded to include boundary calls
- 2009: DRS launched, giving third umpire access to ball-tracking and Hotspot
- 2012: Player reviews formally limited to two per innings
- 2017–present: Third umpire also reviews no-balls in some competitions
What Decisions Does the Third Umpire Make?
The third umpire can adjudicate on: run-outs, stumpings, boundary catches, whether the ball crossed the boundary (four or six), no-balls, and in DRS matches all referred LBW and caught-behind decisions. The third umpire communicates with on-field umpires by earpiece.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the first third umpire used in international cricket?
Karl Liebenberg of South Africa became the first third umpire in international cricket during the India vs South Africa Test in November 1992.
Can the third umpire overturn a decision without being asked?
Only in specific cases: for DRS-mandated checks (such as front-foot no-balls in some competitions), the third umpire acts proactively. Otherwise they wait for a referral.
Does the third umpire use all DRS technologies?
The third umpire has access to all technologies available in the match — ball tracking, Hotspot, Ultra Edge/Snicko, and multiple camera angles — but which technologies are available varies by the host broadcaster and competition.