No DRS to be used in 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, third umpire to monitor run-outs

The 2023 ODI World Cup qualifying competition in Zimbabwe, scheduled to be played in June and July, will not have DRS (Decision Review System) system in place. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly confirmed that third umpire will be there to supervise run-outs.

During the 2018 World Cup qualifiers as well, the teams were devoid of the DRS and third umpire technology for most of the matches. Notably, the last World Cup qualifier in 2018 was also held in Zimbabwe. The third umpire was used in only 10 of the 34 broadcast matches last time around. However, this year, the apex cricket control body has said to include a third umpire for all games, but no other review technologies such as UltraEdge or ball-tracking would be available to the teams.

Afghanistan and West Indies had both qualified for the 2019 ODI World Cup in England. DRS was missed all throughout the qualifier tournament and more so in the crucial close matches. For example, in a rain-affected encounter, Windies defeated Scotland by five runs. During the clash, Scotland's Richie Berrington was thrown out lbw to an Ashley Nurse delivery that appeared to be sliding down the leg. But, since there was no DRS, Berrington had no way to review it.

DRS was also absent at the recently concluded Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoff in Windhoek, Namibia, which saw umpiring standards being called into question in many games. Many teams questioned the credibility of umpires' decisions during the Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoffs, including the hosts Namibia. Notably, Namibia came third and will therefore not compete in the upcoming World Cup Qualifier.

10 teams to participate in the World Cup qualifiers scheduled to be held in June-July

Zimbabwe will host a 10-team World Cup Qualifying tournament from June 18 to July 9. It comprises the five teams that finished at the bottom of the World Cup Super League points table - the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, West Indies and one of Ireland or South Africa, which is yet to be finalised.

Nepal, Oman, and Scotland were the top three teams in the ICC's World Cup Cricket League 2, while the United States and the United Arab Emirates emerged as the top two teams in the Qualifier Playoff. All of these teams will come together to compete in the World Cup qualifiers. 

The top two qualifying teams will advance to this year's ODI World Cup. The 13th edition of the Cricket World Cup will reportedly commence on October 5 in India.