Umpire's Call in LBW refers to a provision within the Decision Review System (DRS) that allows the on-field umpire's original decision to stand on marginal LBW calls. It essentially means that if a review of an LBW decision is inconclusive, the benefit of the doubt goes to the original on-field ruling.
Here's a breakdown:
- Marginal Decisions: Umpire's Call comes into play when technology (like ball-tracking) shows that the ball is only just clipping the stumps.
- DRS and Reviews: It's applicable when a team challenges an LBW decision made by the umpire.
- Original Decision Holds: The core principle is that if the ball-tracking technology shows the ball marginally hitting the stumps, the on-field umpire's original decision (whether it was 'out' or 'not out') remains.
In essence, "Umpire's Call" gives weight to the on-field umpire's initial assessment when technology cannot definitively overturn it. As the reference states, "Umpire's Call' is the provision that ensures that marginal decisions in LBW dismissals, when taken upon by a Decision Review System (DRS) appeal, remain in favour of the original decision made by the on-field umpire." (22-Mar-2024)
