ICC to get rid of soft signal starting World Test Championship Final

Reports have emerged that the decision was made by the ICC's Sourav Ganguly-headed cricket committee and has also been conveyed to the two WTC finalists- India and Australia.

ICC to get rid of soft signal starting World Test Championship Final

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to get rid of the widely debated soft signal ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in June. The global cricket governing body announced a change in the existing set of rules on Monday. The decision was made by the ICC’s Sourav Ganguly-headed cricket committee and has also been conveyed to the two WTC finalists- India and Australia. 

Notably, as the two teams are slated to lock horns in the much-anticipated WTC Final at The Oval from 7-11 June, the playing conditions for the match are being decided. Amid a few key changes to the normal playing conditions, the removal of the soft signal has also been included. The changes will come into effect on 1 June 2023 with the Lord’s Test between England and Ireland, a four-day one-off Test match.

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“Soft signals have been discussed at previous cricket committee meetings over the last couple of years,” Ganguly said. “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.”

Related: WATCH: Steve Smith in fulll flow ahead of WTC Final, takes stunning catch in slips

ICC also announced a few more changes including making helmets mandatory for fielders in high-risk positions. The compulsion of helmets will be for the following:

  • 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.

What is a soft signal in cricket?

soft signal

According to ICC rules, a “Soft Signal is the visual communication by the bowler’s end umpire to the third umpire (accompanied by additional information via two-way radio where necessary) of his/her initial on-field decision prior to initiating an Umpire Review.”

The rule further states: “Should both on-field umpires require assistance from the third umpire to make a decision, the bowler’s end umpire shall firstly take a decision on-field after consulting with the striker’s end umpire, before consulting by two-way radio with the third umpire. 

“Such consultation shall be initiated by the bowler’s end umpire to the third umpire by making the shape of a TV screen with his/her hands, followed by a Soft Signal of Out or Not out made with the hands close to the chest at chest height. If the third umpire advises that the replay evidence is inconclusive, the on-field decision communicated at the start of the consultation process shall stand.”

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