Question

Explain any three situations when the assistance of Third Umpire is sought during a game.

Answer 1

The third umpire is the off-field official who reviews video replays when an on-field decision is too close or uncertain. Matches commonly refer such calls to the third umpire for slow‑motion/multi‑angle review.

Three typical situations when the third umpire is asked to assist:

1. Run out/stumping: When it’s unclear whether the batsman made his ground before the bails were dislodged. The third umpire examines slow‑motion and frame‑by‑frame video to see if the bat/foot was grounded behind the crease.
2. Catches: To determine if a fielder held the ball cleanly (or whether it touched the ground) or whether there was a bump/illegal contact (e.g., glove to ground) before control was established. Video replay resolves whether the catch is clean.
3. Boundary/six decisions: To decide whether the ball crossed the boundary rope (four or six) or whether a fielder touching the rope or boundary affected the play. Replays show the ball’s relation to the rope and any fielder contact with the boundary.