Multiple decisions in the 2019 Ashes were upheld as 'umpire's call' despite ball tracking showing the ball hitting the stumps, reigniting the debate about the DRS threshold.
The 2019 Ashes series became a flashpoint for the "umpire's call" controversy. Across the series, numerous LBW decisions were retained because the ball tracking showed the ball clipping the stumps with less than 50% of the ball hitting — the threshold for overturning.
In the first Test at Edgbaston, Australia were particularly frustrated. Tim Paine was vocal in his criticism, saying it was "ridiculous" that a ball shown hitting the stumps couldn't be given out simply because the on-field umpire had said not out.
The core of the debate: if technology shows the ball is hitting the stumps, why should the original decision matter? The ICC's position was that ball tracking has a margin of error, and "umpire's call" accounts for this uncertainty. Critics argued that the same margin of error should apply when the on-field decision is out — but it does, making the system asymmetric.
The controversy has persisted ever since, with players, commentators, and fans regularly expressing frustration. Several cricket boards have lobbied for the removal of the umpire's call element, but the ICC has so far retained it, arguing it preserves the role of the on-field umpire.
ICC retained the umpire's call rule despite widespread criticism. The debate continues to rage in cricket.
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals
29 May 2026
The Qualifier 2 toss between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals at Mullanpur had to be conducted twice after match referee Prakash Bhatt failed to hear Riyan Parag's call — a visible frustration for Shubman Gill who appeared to have won the original toss before the do-over.
Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders
26 April 2026
Kartik Tyagi bowled two beamers in the final over of LSG's chase but was allowed to continue — umpires called only one dangerous — sparking IPL fury.
Various county and representative sides
1864-06-01
The legalisation of overarm bowling in 1864 created an immediate grey zone: how high could the arm go, and at what point did a fast delivery become an illegal throw? Through the 1860s English cricket struggled with this question as a succession of fast bowlers developed actions that umpires suspected but rarely no-balled, creating a climate of suspicion that would recur in every generation of cricket thereafter.