TV umpires get enhanced roles for WC

Existing powers of television umpires are likely to be enhanced by rules and regulations specifically adopted for the upcoming World Cup.

Under the new regulations, the TV umpire can turn down an appeal for caught behind if the replays show there was no contact between bat and ball. The relevant portion about the clause over clean catches states: "The third umpire has to determine whether the batsman has been caught. However, when reviewing TV replay(s) if it is clear to the third umpire that the batsman did not hit the ball, he shall indicate that the batsman is not out."

This applies to decisions on whether a catch was taken from a bump ball or not.

Other regulations for the tournament include a provision for relocating matches in case of a dangerous pitch, continuing a match under a light drizzle in certain situations, bowl-outs to break a tie, and empowering the match referee to suggest suspension of play citing security concerns. Under earlier rules, umpires could only abandon a match if the pitch became dangerous for play.

The ICC has also introduced a five-stage system to break a tie on points between two or more teams in the preliminary and Super 8 stages, and a two-stage system for the semifinals and finals, including bowl-outs.

On the subject of suspension of play because of adverse conditions, the regulations state that if the conditions during a rain stoppage improve and the rain is reduced to a drizzle the "umpires must consider if they would have suspended play in the first place under similar conditions."

"If both on-field umpires agree that the current drizzle would not have caused a stoppage, then play shall resume immediately. In these circumstances the provisions of Law 3.9 (b) and 3.9 (c) (i) shall not apply."

A clause has been added to Law 3.10 concerning exceptional circumstances. "Play may be suspended due to safety and security concerns by the umpires on the advice of the ICC Match Referee, the head of the relevant ground authority, the head of ground security or police," it states.