The Women’s Big Bash League’s tenth season will be played with a third umpire for the very first time in each game and with a massive increase in the application of the DRS. The use of the third umpire in WBBL will be necessary as there are a lot of controversies that were seen in the last season, especially after disputes in several decisions made by the umpires had frustrated not just players but fans as well.
One major difference seen between the tenth season and all the others is that all of the third umpire in WBBL games will be available throughout now. This is because there are 33 out of 43 matches that contain DRS, so the third umpire in WBBL will now have an even bigger role to play in decision-making, especially in those ten games where DRS is not available. In these conditions, the third umpire in WBBL will have the authority to make close calls on line decisions like stumpings and runouts.
In the games in which DRS will be operational, the third umpire in WBBL will administer all reviews of decisions at all 23 games to be televised by Seven Network and also the remaining 10 games via Fox Sports, which is stepping up a notch from last season. Unlike the previous season, where only 41% of WBBL games were supplied with full DRS implementation, this season, with a total of 77% of games incorporating third umpire in WBBL, the league shall increase the contentious decisions on the field.
Third umpire in WBBL and more rules!
Additional changes include the increased involvement of the third umpire in WBBL while presenting a new innings timer. Teams will now have 73 minutes to be ready for the 20th over of bowling. In case of failure, a fielding penalty will be incurred, with one more fielder inside the circle.
According to Alistair Dobson, Big Bash Leagues’ head, with the introduction of the third umpire, the best-of-competition quality came forth and satisfied the requirements of the players, umpires, and fans. He said that “a world-class competition demands world-class technology and innovation,” and that it is one of the biggest strides made so far toward decisions being more accurate and fairer.
This tenth edition of WBBL is going to start in scintillating fashion on October 27 as three matches will take place on that day. Defending champion Adelaide Strikers face Brisbane Heat in a re-run of last season’s final at Adelaide Oval. The third umpire of WBBL is bound to play an all-glamourous role in this much-talked-about opening match. Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers will follow the match, and Perth Scorchers will close out the day’s business against Melbourne Stars.
These improvements are likely to make this season a much more competitive and viewer-friendly tournament, putting the players under a higher level of pressure and giving an officiating process that is smoother and more transparent.
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Key players from England to miss WBBL 10 latter stages
