DRS Ball Impact Rules
| Aspect | Rule Explanation |
|---|---|
| Impact within Stump Line | If the ball impacts the stumps and at least half of the ball is in line with the outer edge of the stumps, the decision will be “Umpire’s Call” – meaning the on-field umpire’s decision stands. If more than half of the ball is in line with the outer edge, it will be considered as hitting the stumps. |
| Impact Outside Stump Line | If the ball impacts outside the line of the stumps, the batsman is considered not out, regardless of the on-field umpire’s decision. |
| No Shot Offered | If the batsman offers no shot, and the ball impacts the stumps, the decision will be “Umpire’s Call.” The ball must still hit at least half of the ball in line with the outer edge of the stumps to be considered hitting the stumps. |
| Inside Edge | If the batsman edges the ball onto the pads, the ball-tracking technology considers the point of impact with the pad and the projected path of the ball to determine if the ball would have hit the stumps. |
| Ball-Tracker Margin of Error | The ball-tracking technology has a margin of error associated with it. The decision will be “Umpire’s Call” if the projected path of the ball and the stumps overlap within this margin. If they don’t overlap, the original decision stands. |
| Impact on Bails | If the ball impacts the bails directly without hitting the stumps, the decision is not out, even if the ball-tracking technology shows the ball would have hit the stumps. |
Explanation:
The Decision Review System (DRS) has revolutionized decision-making in cricket, especially for LBW (Leg Before Wicket) decisions. The DRS ball impact rules govern how the technology interprets the ball’s trajectory and its impact on the stumps to determine the batsman’s fate.
When reviewing an LBW appeal, if the ball impacts the stumps and at least half of the ball is in line with the outer edge of the stumps, the decision will be “Umpire’s Call.” In this case, the on-field umpire’s original decision stands. If more than half of the ball is in line with the outer edge, it will be considered as hitting the stumps, and the batsman will be given out.
If the ball impacts outside the line of the stumps, regardless of the on-field umpire’s decision, the batsman will be considered not out.
When the batsman offers no shot and the ball impacts the stumps, the DRS technology considers if at least half of the ball would have hit the stumps to give the decision as “Umpire’s Call.”
If the batsman edges the ball onto the pads, the point of impact with the pad and the projected path of the ball is taken into account to determine if the ball would have hit the stumps.
It’s important to note that the ball-tracking technology has a margin of error associated with it. If the projected path of the ball and the stumps overlap within this margin, the decision will be “Umpire’s Call.” If they don’t overlap, the original decision stands.
Furthermore, if the ball impacts the bails directly without hitting the stumps, the decision is not out, even if the ball-tracking technology shows the ball would have hit the stumps.
The DRS ball impact rules aim to ensure fair and accurate decisions, while also acknowledging the limitations and margin of error associated with technology. These rules have become an integral part of modern cricket, enhancing the game’s integrity and providing players with a recourse to challenge on-field decisions in critical moments.