Third on field umpire ?

[Acumen]

Australian born, Trent Woodhill, one time Pakistan batting coach has suggested that there should be a third umpire on field behind the keeper to assist with slight nicks - see pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=215479

I think it would be more sensible use of the third umpire if he were to stand at the bowler's end in line with Popping crease. Not only would he adjudicate on No Ball Foot Faults and also on Run Outs, but would allow the Bowler's End umpire to concentrate on the ball as soon as it leaves Bowler's hand and not have to worry about moving quickly to the side.

[Mayur Wankhade Deshmukh]

Good idea though. But wont it increase extra person on the field and fielding side find it difficult to field and throw in ?

[chiggers]

Utterly impractical - certainly at a recreational level where we are already struggling to cover probably half the games with one or two 'panel' umpires. And when you get below that level, where the batting side has to provide the umpires, a captain would have to find three umpires as well as a scorer (or two if you are going to keep both books, given the likelihood that neither side has a proper scorer and two people should be scoring to make sure things balance), two people batting, another two padded up - turn up a couple of players short and you could be in a position where the game becomes a farce.