The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a significant rule change, stating that on-field umpires will no longer be required to give the contentious soft signal ruling when referring decisions to the TV umpire. The new rule will be implemented starting from June 1, 2023, coinciding with the Lord's Test match between England and Ireland.
According to the ICC's statement, the on-field umpires will consult with the TV umpire before making any decisions, eliminating the need for the soft signal. The change in playing conditions for international matches comes after the recommendations made by the Men's Cricket Committee led by Sourav Ganguly, which were also endorsed by the Women's Cricket Committee.
Under the previous rule, the soft signal required the on-field umpire to make a decision, whether out or not out, even if they were unsure, before referring it to the third umpire. The third umpire could overturn the decision only if there was conclusive evidence from the available video footage. With the removal of the soft signal, the third umpire will now have the final say on doubtful on-field decisions based on the footage provided.
Ganguly, the Chairman of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee and the BCCI President, explained the rationale behind the decision, stating, "Soft signals have been discussed at previous cricket committee meetings over the last couple of years. The committee deliberated this at length and concluded that soft signals were unnecessary and at times confusing since referrals of catches may seem inconclusive in replays."
In addition to the soft signal removal, other notable rule changes were announced. Helmet protection has been made mandatory in international cricket for specific high injury-risk positions. These positions include when batters are facing fast bowlers, when wicketkeepers are standing up to the stumps, and when fielders are close to the batter in front of the wicket.
Furthermore, the ICC stated that any runs scored off a Free Hit, even if the ball hits the stumps, will count as runs scored. This change aims to maintain consistency with all other runs scored from a free hit.
Player safety was also a significant consideration during the discussions. Ganguly emphasized the importance of player safety, stating, "The committee decided that it was best to make the use of helmets mandatory in certain positions to ensure the safety of players."
These rule changes reflect the ICC's ongoing efforts to enhance the game and prioritize player safety while ensuring fairness and clarity in decision-making processes.