What does the third umpire decide without a review?
I · Intermediate · Who decides, and how can a decision be reviewed? · 5 of 19In internationals, the on-field umpires can refer run outs, stumpings, bowled, hit wicket, catches and boundaries to the third umpire, who watches replays. The third umpire also checks the bowler's front foot on every ball and reviews every short-run call. A referral is shown by a TV-screen shape with the hands, and the answer by a red (out) or green (not out) light or on the big screen.
How it works
- Front foot: the third umpire checks every delivery and tells the bowler's end umpire at once if it was a no-ball.
- Run out, stumped, bowled, hit wicket: the on-field umpire may refer the appeal. The third umpire first checks the ball was fair, then decides.
- Catches: if the on-field umpires cannot decide whether a catch was fair or a bump ball, they consult and may refer it.
- Boundaries: whether it was four or six, whether a fielder touching the rope was in contact with the ball, and runs from an overthrow. If the pictures are inconclusive, no boundary is given.
- Short runs: reviewed automatically.
- Batters at the same end: which one got there first.
- Ball hitting an overhead camera or its cables: the third umpire decides, and if unclear, no contact is assumed.
- When the third umpire finds the batter out, or not out, in some other way while checking, they say so.
Tricky cases
Why does the third umpire check for a no-ball before every run out?
For bowled, hit wicket, stumped and caught referrals, a no-ball would make the batter not out, so it is checked first. The front foot has already been checked on every ball.
What happens if the replays do not show whether it was a six?
No boundary is given. The default is in favour of no boundary.
When is the wicket broken on a replay?
At the first frame where a bail has lost all contact with the top of the stumps, provided it then comes off for good. With light-up stumps, the first frame where the lights show, on the same condition.
Why the rule exists
Replays settle questions of fact that the eye cannot judge at full speed, such as whether a bat was grounded before the bails came off.
Where it differs
The third umpire exists only in ICC internationals and competitions that adopt the playing conditions. Under the Laws, the two on-field umpires decide everything.
From the rule book
ICC men's playing conditions, Appendix D (paragraphs 2.1 to 2.7 and 4.1 to 4.2) and clause 21.5, October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: ICC playing conditions (PDF).