Soft signals will eventually be phased out, The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made one of the most hotly debated and long-pending rule changes in the playing conditions (PC) of international matches. This change is expected to be implemented in the final match of the World Test Championship (WTC) to be held in London next month.
Will be applicable in Test Championship-
According to the report of Cricbuzz, the ICC’s Cricket Committee under the chairmanship of Sourav Ganguly approved the change of this rule. Meanwhile, India and Australia, the two finalist teams of the Test Championship, have also been informed about this change. The new rule will be part of the matches to be played at The Oval from June 7-12.
What is soft signal rule-
The soft signal rule has been the subject of controversy and many veterans have called for it to be scrapped. Visual of the soft signal bowler communicating with the third umpire (with additional information via two-way radio where necessary) about his initial on-field decision before the umpire initiates an umpire review in accordance with ICC rules is the medium.
On-field decisions should be made after discussing with the striker’s side umpire, before discussing with the third umpire over the one-way radio. Such a decision would be initiated by the umpire on the bowler’s side making the shape of a TV screen with his hands to the third umpire, followed by a soft hand signal of out or not out.
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On-field umpire’s decision will be final-
If the third umpire advises that a decision cannot be taken from the replays, the decision of the on-field umpire as informed at the outset shall be final. Simply put, the soft signal rule forces an on-field umpire to take a call. On field umpire can take decision even if he is not sure.
Meaning of change in rules-
Before sending it to the third umpire who can only change it if there is conclusive evidence from video footage. The rule change means that the third umpire will make the final call on a suspected catch.