LONDON, May 16: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced specialist third umpires to the international panel for the first time in its latest move to improve umpiring standards.

The two on-field umpires can refer difficult decisions involving catches, stumpings, run-outs and boundaries to the third official, who adjudicates with the benefit of television replays.

“These officials will not perform on-field duties but will be dedicated to the increasingly specialist role of the third, or so-called TV umpire,” the ICC said in a statement Thursday.

The third umpires are Steve Davis (Australia), Jeremy Lloyds (England), Tony Hill (New Zealand), Shahid Wadvalla (South Africa) and Ian Robinson (Zimbabwe).

The international panel provides officials for all One-day Internationals and provides cover for the ICC’s elite panel of eight full-time Test umpires.—Reuters