Umpiring Standards Under Scrutiny
Umpiring standards at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 have come under intense scrutiny, with several controversial decisions raising concerns about the officials’ experience with the Decision Review System (DRS). The sporadic use of DRS in women’s cricket has meant that many umpires are less familiar with its protocols, contributing to a series of missteps during the tournament’s first two-and-a-half weeks. So let’s have a look at Women’s World Cup 2025 TV umpiring errors.
Heather Knight’s Reprieves Highlight Issues
One of the most notable incidents occurred in the England vs Bangladesh match, where Heather Knight received three reprieves, including a low catch by Shorna Akter. Despite Knight walking off voluntarily, TV umpire Gayathri Venugopalan ruled her not out due to “inconclusive” evidence. Other decisions, including a caught-behind call that was overturned, further highlighted inconsistencies in officiating. Broadcaster Nasser Hussain noted that Knight remarked, “I’ve never been out so many times in a cricket match,” after finishing unbeaten on 79, underlining the confusion caused by umpiring errors.
Muneeba Ali Run-Out Controversy
In another instance, Pakistan opener Muneeba Ali was initially given not out against India in Colombo, only for the decision to be overturned after further review by TV umpire Kerrin Klaaste. The process created significant confusion for players and team staff, emphasizing the need for clearer and more consistent DRS application.
Also read: How India Can Still Qualify for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals?
Sune Luus and Alyssa Healy Decisions
During the India vs South Africa and India vs Australia games, umpiring inconsistencies persisted. Sune Luus was adjudged not out despite murmur evidence on Ultra Edge, while Alyssa Healy’s catch was initially ruled out by TV umpire Jacqueline Williams, who later reversed her decision. Such incidents highlight the challenges umpires face when balancing available technology with rapid in-game decisions.
Lack of Experience with DRS
Of the ten TV umpires in the tournament, only three — Sue Redfern (42 matches), Eloise Sheridan (25), and Kim Cotton (24) — have substantial experience officiating with DRS. Five of the ten TV umpires, including Venugopalan and Klaaste, have less than five international matches’ experience with the system, with some having no prior DRS experience at all. This relative inexperience is reflected in the higher rate of overturned decisions: 25 successful overturns in 36 innings, compared to 0.46 per innings in the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup in Asia.
ICC Response
The ICC declined to comment on the umpires’ lack of DRS experience or whether teams raised queries regarding missteps. Umpire manager Sean Easey has been present at some venues, but the growing discussion around TV umpiring errors underscores the need for more training and familiarization with technology in women’s cricket.
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