Which decisions can the on-field umpires send to the third umpire themselves?
Rule- South Africa
- ICC
- Cricket South Africa
- Proteas men
- ICC playing conditions
- DRS
- Senior
- 2026/27
- Fans
These are umpire reviews. They don't use up a team's reviews, and players aren't allowed to appeal for one (doing so can be treated as dissent).
The on-field umpires can refer or consult on:
- Run out, stumped, bowled and hit wicket appeals (the umpire draws a TV-screen shape)
- Catches and bump balls, and obstructing the field, after the two on-field umpires have consulted each other
- Boundaries: whether it's a four or a six, whether a fielder touching the ball was touching or grounded beyond the boundary, and runs from a boundary overthrow. If the evidence is inconclusive, no boundary is given.
- Which batter made their ground first when both run to the same end
- Short runs: the third umpire automatically reviews every short-run call
- No balls after a dismissal, other than the front foot, which is already checked every ball
- Ball hitting an overhead camera (spidercam) or its cables
The third umpire can also contact the on-field umpires on their own initiative about a missed boundary infringement or the ball hitting an overhead camera.
The third umpire shows the decision with a red light (out) or green light (not out), or on the big screen.
Added 21 Oct 2026