IPL 2022: Mahela Jayawardene recommends third umpire intervention in above-waist no-ball

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene recommends that the third umpire should have interfered with the decision. He wants the third umpire to help the on-field umpires for over-the-waist no-balls. Jayawardene is a member of the ICC cricket committee. And he wants to take over the issue and hold a discussion on whether the third umpire should alert the on-field umpires.

Mahela Jayawardene commented after the final over of the IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals last Friday. Obed McCoy came to bowl the last over. Powell hit two back-to-back sixes and rose in confidence. In the third delivery, it was a full toss and Powell smashed it for another long six. That made it 3 consecutive sixes in 3 balls. McCoy bowls a waist-high full toss. DC raised the controversy of no-ball. While on-field umpires made the decision without asking the third umpire to check if it was a no-ball.

Mahela Jayawardene comments on the above-waist no-ball:

“Probably, the umpires did get it wrong, but the rules say that you can’t go to the third umpire or check on those things,” Jayawardene said on The ICC Review.

“It is something, I think, going forward we need to look at: whether (there should be) the option for the third umpire to come on the field, on to the main umpires and inform them that it’s a delivery you should check.”

DC skipper Rishabh Pant asked Powell and Kuldeep Yadav to walk out. Also, Rishabh sent DC coaching staff Pravin Amre to the field to argue with the umpire’s decision. Rishabh was fined 100 percent of the match fees. Amre was handed a one-match ban. And pacer Shardul Thakur was also fined 50 percent of the match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct.

“But…the spirit of the game, and to see things moving forward, it’s never an option for any coach or any player to come on to the field,” Jayawardene said.

“We are given an opportunity during the strategic time-out to come out in IPL, and that should be the only time the coaches or anyone else should be allowed.”

Under the current ICC playing conditions, all front foot no-balls are checked by the third umpire.

Disappointing actions of the DC team:

Jayawardene did not support the action of DC players and support staff.

“It is disappointing to see that. You are stopping the game, and people are coming onto the field. But I honestly believe it was just the emotions carrying away. It was just the last over, a couple of sixes were hit and there was probably an opportunity”.

“We saw it on TV. Most of the guys (Mumbai Indians players) were watching it together, and afterward, as well, we had a chat. We will probably react in the dugout, but (for us) it’s never an option to go onto the field. That’s not the way things should be, but I’m pretty sure Rishabh and Pravin would regret what happened,” Jayawardene added.