Cricket

'Umpires call bhi hatado yaar' - Fans react as 'soft signal' rule will reportedly be abolished starting from Test Championship final

After much consideration, the 'soft signal' rule will finally be abolished, starting from the Test Championship game. Here's more.

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Soft Signal to be abolished

Soft Signal to be abolished (Source: Twitter)

The Apex Cricket governing body has formally decided to discontinue the usage of the soft signal rule in international matches after extensive consideration among its members. Notably, the decision will take effect beginning with the upcoming Test Championship 2021–23 Final, which is set to start on June 7 at London's Oval.

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The Sourav Ganguly-led committee adopted the rule and was sent to the Test Championship finalists, India and Australia. The soft signal rule received much media attention in January during a Test match between Australia and South Africa when Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed controversially.

In a nutshell, Simon Harmer of South Africa took a low catch, and the on-field umpire called the soft signal "out." Third umpire Richard Kettleborough reversed the judgement and declared it "not out" without any solid proof after several replays.

Two new rules to be in force from the Test Championship Final

"Soft Signal is the visual communication by the bowler's end umpire to the third umpire (accompanied by additional information via two-way radio where necessary) of his/her initial on-field decision prior to initiating an Umpire Review. If the third umpire advises that the replay evidence is inconclusive, the on-field decision communicated at the start of the consultation process shall stand," the rule states.

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This essentially means that the third umpire cannot communicate with the on-field umpire until the on-field umpire has made a judgement (even if he is unsure). Additionally, the third umpire will have the ultimate word on dubious catches and can overturn the decision if and only if there is convincing evidence.

In addition to the significant shift in how decisions are made on the field, the apex council has determined that the floodlights at the venue may be turned on during the game in the event of inadequate natural light. In addition, the Apex Cricket governing body determined that a reserve day (the sixth) would be added to the schedule to conclude the teams' one-off Test matches.

Here's how fans reacted:

Australia featured Twitter Reactions India