Third umpire to check for front-foot no-balls during India vs West Indies series

Front foot no-ball during the forthcoming T20I and ODI series between the two heavyweights India and the West Indies will be monitored by the third umpire and not the on-field official. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday.

The series, which will observe three T20Is and as much ODIs will start on Friday in Hyderabad and technology to monitor front foot no ball will be put to experiment in it. "Throughout the trial, the Third Umpire will be responsible for monitoring every ball bowled and identifying whether there has been any front foot infringement," the ICC said in a statement.

"If there has been an infringement on the front foot, the Third Umpire will communicate this to the On-Field Umpire who will subsequently call a no-ball. As a result, the On-Field Umpire will not call a front foot no-ball without the advice of the Third Umpire," it added.

The ICC said the benefit of doubt in close calls will lie with the bowler.

"...and if a late no-ball call is communicated, then the On-Field Umpire will rescind a dismissal (if applicable) and call no-ball. The On-Field Umpire will remain responsible for other in-game decisions in the usual way," the ICC said.

"The outcomes of the trial will be used to gauge whether the system has a beneficial impact on the accuracy of no-ball decisions and whether it can be implemented while minimising disruption to the flow of the game," it added.

The decision to make third umpire the arbitrator of front foot no ball was considered in August this year.

The technology was first tested in the ODI series between Pakistan and England in 2016.

The ICC decided to test it again after its Cricket Committee suggested its use in as many limited overs games as possible.

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