ICC scraps ‘soft-signal’ during dismissals, makes multiple changes ahead of WTC Final

The International Cricket Council announced on Monday, 15 May that it was going to scrap the ‘soft-signal’ from June 1.

The ICC announced the development via a press release and stated that the decision was taken due to the confusion it created during the decision-making process by the third umpire while checking contentious catches.

The ‘soft-signal’ has been a point of controversy for several years in high-pressure matches, where the third umpire struggled to overturn the decision of the on-field umpires due to the lack of evidence shown in the replays. The new ruling will allow the third umpire better authority over the proceedings.

“The on-field umpires will consult with the TV umpire before any decisions are taken,” the ICC confirmed.

“Soft signals have been discussed at previous cricket committee meetings over the last couple of years,” the committee chair Sourav Ganguly was quoted as saying by the ICC.

“The committee deliberated this at length and concluded that soft signals were unnecessary and at times confusing since referrals of catches may seem inconclusive in replays,” he further added.

Helmet Mandatory
Apart from the soft-signal ruling the ICC also made it mandatory to wear helmets during certain situations of the game. All players now have to wear protective gear in the following instance.

When batters are facing fast bowlers

When wicketkeepers are standing up to the stumps

When fielders are close to the batter in front of the wicket

“There was also a minor addition to the Free Hit rule with any runs scored off a Free Hit when the ball hits the stumps counted as runs scored from now. This would mean that batters can now be bowled off a Free Hit and attempt a run for the same,” the ICC press release mentioned a third change.

The decision by the ICC will be changing the proceedings slightly in the World Test Championship Final, set to be played between Australia and India from June 7.