What does "umpire's call" mean for lbw reviews?
Rule- Australia
- ICC
- Cricket Australia
- DRS
- Men's Test cricket
- Playing Conditions Oct 2026
- 2026/27
- Fans
Umpire's Call is the category used when ball-tracking shows a marginal result, and the on-field decision of the bowler's end umpire stands. Ball-tracking reports three things for an lbw review:
- Landing: In Line, Outside Off or Outside Leg. A batter can be out if the ball landed Outside Off or In Line, but is Not out if it landed Outside Leg. There is no Umpire's Call for landing.
- Impact: In Line (the centre of the ball inside the Impact Zone), Umpire's Call (some part of the ball inside the zone but the centre outside it) or Outside (no part of the ball inside).
- Wicket: Hitting (the centre of the ball inside the Wicket Zone), Umpire's Call (the ball was hitting the wicket but its centre was not inside the Wicket Zone) or Missing.
If an lbw review leaves the decision unchanged solely because of Umpire's Call, it is categorised "Unchanged - Umpire's Call" and does not cost the team a review.
Source: ICC Men's Test Match Playing Conditions (effective from October 2026), Appendix D, paragraphs 3.4 and 3.6.4.
Added 24 Oct 2026