How does the Decision Review System work?
I · Intermediate · Who decides, and how can a decision be reviewed? · 4 of 19In international cricket, a side that disagrees with an out or not-out decision can ask the third umpire to review it. The batter given out, or the fielding captain after a not-out, makes a "T" sign within 15 seconds. Each side may lose three reviews an innings in Tests and two in ODIs and T20 internationals; a review that changes the decision is not lost.
How it works
- Only decisions on whether a batter is out can be reviewed, except timed out. Wides, no-balls, boundaries and runs cannot be reviewed by the players.
- Only the batter involved can review an out; only the fielding captain can review a not out. Players may consult each other first, but may not ask the umpire about the decision, except whether the batter was judged to be playing a shot in an LBW.
- After 10 seconds the umpire prompts; after 15, the request is refused. Replays are not shown on the big screen until the 15 seconds are up. A request cannot be withdrawn.
- The third umpire first checks the ball was fair (a no-ball ends it: not out), then looks for anything that shows the on-field decision was wrong. Without clear evidence, the decision stands.
- In an LBW review, ball-tracking shows where the ball pitched, where it hit the batter and whether it would have hit the stumps. If any of these is too close to call, the on-field decision stands: umpire's call, and the review is not lost.
- The scoreboard shows how many reviews each side has left.
- Technology used: replays from any camera, stump microphones, ball-tracking, sound-based and heat-based edge detection and light-up stumps.
Tricky cases
Does a review that ends on umpire's call cost the team a review?
No. It is recorded as "unchanged, umpire's call" and does not count.
Can a team review a wide or a no-ball?
No. Players can review only decisions on whether a batter is out. The third umpire does check for a no-ball during any review.
What if the review shows the batter is out a different way?
They are out that way. If an out stands but for a different reason, the review still counts as unsuccessful.
Do runs count if a not-out decision is overturned to out?
No. The ball is treated as dead at the moment of the dismissal, so later runs are cancelled.
What if the batter is given out, reviews and it is overturned?
They bat on, but runs that might have been scored after the original out decision do not count, because the ball became dead when the out was given.
What if the technology fails?
The third umpire tells the on-field umpire what they can see. If a review could not be completed because of a failure, the Match Referee can give it back.
Why the rule exists
Reviews catch clear mistakes without taking authority away from the umpires on close calls. The limit stops sides reviewing every decision.
Where it differs
| Where | Unsuccessful reviews per innings | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ICC men's Tests | Three | PC-T App D 3.6.1 |
| ICC men's ODIs | Two | PC-O App D 3.6.1 |
| ICC men's T20 internationals | Two | PC-I App D 3.6.1 |
| Super overs | One each per super over | PC-O App F 12 |
| The Laws | No reviews | L2.12 (umpire's decision final) |
From the rule book
ICC men's playing conditions, Appendix D (paragraphs 3.1 to 3.9), October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ICC playing conditions (PDF).