‘It's pretty frustrating’ - WBBL players voice displeasure over uneven DRS availability in matches

Frustration over the lack of usage of the DRS and the third umpire at the ongoing WBBL (Women’s Big Bash League) 2023 has been made clear by several players in recent weeks. There have been many instances in the WBBL 2023 where incorrect decisions by the officials have led to a different outcome of the game.

It is worth noting that only 24 matches of the 59-game season are full television broadcasts with DRS and third umpire reviews available to the teams and the standing officials. The remaining matches do not feature a DRS system or even third umpires.

However, it has been stated that no changes will be made in 2023. Cricket Australia came forward to state that DRS and third umpires will be available in every game of the season from 2024. Speaking of the same, Melbourne Renegades stars Georgia Wareham and Hayley Matthews came forward to state how frustrating it has been.

"I think as a playing group, it's pretty frustrating, knowing that those moments in the game are really massive and that it's sort of changing the way that teams are winning, I guess, and what team wins on the day by those moments. I think that's what's really frustrating when we can't quite get those decisions right. But I mean, at the end of the day, you can't do much out there. So I guess it's up to the big dogs at the end,” Georgia Wareham was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

I think it would be a great step: Hayley Matthews

Furthermore, Hayley Matthews came forward to opine that the implementation of the DRS and the third umpire in every match could prove to be a big step for the WBBL.

"I think it would be a great step; we're obviously seeing it all over the world now, and in all the franchise competitions, you've got DRS, a third umpire, and full broadcasts in every single game being played. I think WBBL has been the leading tournament for quite some years and it's the ninth season in. I think I'd love to see it being implemented now and I think that on its own would help raise the standard of the game even more,” Matthews said.