By Zainab Shafiq 
Cricket Australia is planning to implement third-umpire technology in all WBBL games in the upcoming season to ensure consistency between televised and streamed matches. Recent incidents have highlighted officiating inconsistencies, and the move aims to address these issues.
One such incident occurred during a streamed match when Brisbane Heat’s Mignon du Preez was declared run out in a rather unusual manner against Adelaide. Strikers bowler Amanda-Jade Wellington removed a stump after the bails were already off. However, as she did not have the ball in her hand that removed the stump, concerns arose about the accuracy of the decision.
A similar scenario took place the previous week when Melbourne Stars received an unfavourable decision against Adelaide. Rhys McKenna was given out stumped, despite replays indicating that she was still in her crease when the bails were dislodged. Both of these incidents occurred in streamed matches, where a third umpire was unavailable for review.
Cricket Australia is actively addressing this issue by considering the introduction of additional technology. They have initiated internal discussions to enhance officiating for the next season. Last year, they introduced the decision review system for 24 free-to-air games, and this will be expanded to include ten more matches in the upcoming season.
In addition to this, plans are underway to install fixed run-out cameras for all other games. This will ensure that a third umpire can be called upon in every WBBL match, thereby improving the overall decision-making process.
Alistair Dobson, the Big Bash boss, expressed the organization’s commitment to continuous improvement. With a new media rights agreement on the horizon, he anticipates growth in technology and facilities available for WBBL matches, enhancing the use of technology and decision-making in the games. Cricket Australia’s proactive approach aims to provide a more consistent and fair experience for all WBBL players and fans.
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