The concept of ‘Third Umpire’ was introduced in South African domestic cricket right after their readmission in international cricket. From 1971 to 1991, the Proteas were barred from playing at the highest level because of the Apartheid Regime in the country at the time. However, they not only made a return to international cricket but also brought the concept of having a TV umpire.
Cricket South Africa, who used to be the Union Cricket Board of South Africa, introduced it in their domestic matches. Dr Ali Bacher, who is the former Managing Director of UCBSA, was one of the people to introduce this idea. Alongside Mike Demaine, the producer at the South African Broadcasting Television sports department, Bacher got it running in the domestic competitions.
A year after the successful run in the rainbow nation’s, the ICC approved the idea and the Proteas’ home matches in 1992. One of those matches was the Durban Test against India. This was India’s maiden Test tour after the Apartheid Era.
First Players Who Got Out by Third Umpire’s decision
2011 World Cup winner Sachin Tendulkar happens to be the first player to be given out by TV Umpire. He tried to take a single in the Durban Test in 1992 but Jonty Rhodes decided to hit the stumps. The on-field umpire couldn’t give his confirmed verdict which is why he took the help from the third umpire. The replays suggested that Tendulkar was short of his crease.
The role of a TV umpire has increased a lot over the years. Now, the on-field umpires don’t take the risk and straight away refer the run-out calls towards the third umpire. Also, with the advent of DRS, the TV umpires also need to determine whether the on-field decision was correct or not. Apart from this, the TV umpires have started checking the over-stepping no-balls by watching the replays.
