Cricket's Third Umpire: What They Do and How DRS Works Together
The third umpire sits off-field with TV technology and reviews close decisions. Learn exactly what they check, what technology they use, and how the DRS process works from the player review request to the final decision.
The third umpire is an off-field official who uses television technology to review close decisions. They operate from a designated room adjacent to the ground, with multiple TV screens, access to Hawk-Eye, Snickometer/UltraEdge, and Hot Spot technology. The third umpire's role has expanded significantly since the introduction of DRS.
What the Third Umpire Reviews
- Catches — whether the ball carried to the fielder cleanly without touching the ground
- Run outs and stumpings — whether the batter was in or out of the crease when the bails were broken
- Boundary decisions — whether the fielder touched the boundary rope before taking a catch
- LBW decisions — on DRS review, the third umpire uses Hawk-Eye to check impact and trajectory
- No-balls — checking whether the front foot was behind the crease line for disputed no-ball decisions
Technologies Used
| Technology | What It Shows | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Hawk-Eye | Ball-tracking trajectory | LBW impact and pitch projection |
| UltraEdge / Snickometer | Sound spikes from bat contact | Edges for caught behind |
| Hot Spot | Infrared contact marks | Whether ball touched bat or pad |
| Slow-motion replay | Frame-by-frame camera | Run outs, catches, boundary |
| Ball-spin tracking | Seam and spin RPM | Context for ball movement |
DRS Process — Step by Step
- On-field umpire gives a decision (out or not out)
- Player who disagrees has 15 seconds to request a DRS review
- Player signals to the umpire with a T-sign gesture (hands forming a T)
- On-field umpire signals the review request to the third umpire
- Third umpire reviews available technology for the specific query
- If the decision is overturned: reviewing team retains their review
- If the decision stands (upheld): reviewing team loses one review
- Each team starts with 2 reviews per innings in Tests, 2 in ODIs, and 1 in T20Is
Automatic Third Umpire Checks
Some decisions go to the third umpire automatically — without a player review. Potential catches by the outfield (when it's unclear if the ball hit the ground), stumpings, and boundary-related dismissals are routinely checked. These automatic referrals don't use a player review — they are simply part of the on-field umpire's process of seeking confirmation from technology.
Frequently asked questions
What does the third umpire do in cricket?
The third umpire sits off-field with access to TV technology including Hawk-Eye, UltraEdge, Hot Spot, and slow-motion replay. They review close decisions referred by the on-field umpires, either via the DRS review system or automatic referrals.
How many DRS reviews does each team get?
In Test cricket, each team has 2 DRS reviews per innings. In ODIs, 2 reviews per innings. In T20Is, 1 review per innings. A review is lost if the original decision is upheld.
What is 'umpire's call' in cricket DRS?
'Umpire's call' applies when ball-tracking shows the ball is marginally hitting the stumps — within the uncertainty zone of the technology. The on-field umpire's original decision stands, and the reviewing team does not lose their DRS review.