Cricket Australia all set to initiate third umpire technology in next season of WBBL

Cricket Australia aims to implement third-umpire technology across all WBBL matches in the upcoming season to ensure uniformity between televised and streamed games. Recent officiating discrepancies, exemplified by Brisbane Heat's Mignon du Preez's unusual run-out decision against Adelaide Strikers, have underscored the need for this enhancement.

Amanda-Jade Wellington of the Strikers, with the bails dislodged, used her non-ball hand to dislodge a stump to dismiss Du Preez. According to reports, this action should not have resulted in Du Preez's dismissal, as the ball was not held in the hand used to dislodge the stump. Cricket fanatics are dumbstruck as to how can an event like WBBL, refrain from having a third umpire.

In the preceding week, Melbourne Stars experienced an unjust decision against Adelaide, as Rhys McKenna was wrongly given out stumped. Video replays left no doubt that she was securely within her crease when the bails were dislodged. Notably, these incidents occurred during streamed matches, where the absence of a third umpire became a significant factor.

Here's the controversial run-out by du Preez:

You don't see this everyday!

Amanda-Jade Wellington with the cricket smarts to run out Mignon du Preez 🤓 #WBBL09 pic.twitter.com/xZHauAMffJ

— Weber Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) October 29, 2023

Next year will bring growth in technology and facilities available at WBBL: Alistair Dobson

Cricket Australia has initiated internal deliberations to address this concern in the upcoming year. Building upon the successful introduction of the Decision Review System in the 24 free-to-air matches last season, CA intends to incorporate an additional 10 games in the next season. Furthermore, discussions are underway to install dedicated run-out cameras for all other matches, guaranteeing the availability of a third umpire in every WBBL fixture.

"We're always focused on continuous improvement around the competition, whether that's scheduling, players, technology or officiating. Next year is the first year of our new media rights agreement, which will bring with it some further growth in the technology and facilities available at WBBL game,” Big Bash boss Alistair Dobson told AAP.

Cricket Australia is actively exploring future strategies for the league, contemplating a reduction in the regular-season matches to 40 for the next season. A new initiative, the 'stadium series,' was unveiled by Dobson in Adelaide, with WBBL fixtures scheduled at renowned venues like Adelaide Oval, MCG, and SCG later in the tournament.