Due to too many no-balls T20 needs an extra umpire on field, suggests Dean Jones

More and more instances of on-field umpires missing out on calling no-balls have come up in recent times and cricketer turned commentator Jones feels it's an important matter to be addressed and taken care of as soon as possible. 

“We need another umpire on the ground. Now why? Because there are too many no-balls that are being missed in every game, " Jones said in an interview to the official website of Global T20 Canada. The Aussie has batted the idea of having an extra umpire right behind the non-striker to call no-balls by the bowlers immediately rather than relying on technology, which according to Jones will cost money and leads to delay in play.

“Now, the technology you need for a no-ball – the infra-red and all that they do for tennis – costs money,” Jones said adding, “And it’s not instantaneous. Let me tell you why that matters. If I’m the coach of Islamabad United and I have one of my batsman, say Andre Russell, on strike. If he takes a single, goes to the other end, and then the technology comes back and says ‘that was a no-ball’ – I don’t want Andre Russell taking that single. He is the biggest hitter in the game. He needs to be on strike. So we need instantaneous calls,” he added. 

The 58-year-old went to explain the most suitable position for the extra umpire will be behind the non-striker to get an unobstructed view of the bowlers front and back foot. 

“My first logical thought is that he stands behind the non-striker. He can see straight away if it’s a no-ball. The main umpire can’t see a no-ball most of the time because the bowler’s right hip covers their front foot. So the umpires are guessing sometimes. But if an umpire stands behind the non-striker, he’ll see everything. Back foot, front foot, everything. And you know what? What’s the cost of an extra umpire compared to the technology? So I want to have another umpire down there."