A debate is now taking place in public as to what has become of what is being called “soft signal” by some cricket commentators that refers to the on-field umpire seeking the assistance of the television umpire to make a dismissal ruling while at the same time signalling “out” or “not out” by way of the soft signal.
The so-called soft signal started when the on-field umpire slightly raised his finger at waist level to indicate to the television umpire that the batsman is out.
At the second Test in Galle between Sri Lanka and England last week, the episode became hilarious at times when both on-field umpires Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Kumara Dharmasena had to go against their own soft signals.
On one occasion Palliyaguruge raised his soft signal sky high for the whole world to see which he had to withdraw when the TV umpire ruled otherwise.
Cricket commentator Simon Doull who calls a spade a spade remarked that common sense was taking a back seat.
“If the ruling has to be put to the TV umpire, then let him decide,” said Doull.