'Can we get rid of it now'- Ben Stokes thinks this rule should be done away with

Ben Stokes, England’s Test captain, has called for the abolishment of ‘soft signal’ after England lost to South Africa in the first T20I match. Rilee Rossouw was the player of the match with a knock of 96 off just 55 deliveries. Jos Butler, however, believes that the South African batter should have been given out when on 37.

The controversial moment came when Rossouw played a Chris Jordan delivery on the leg side and England keeper Jos Buttler took the catch. The umpire, however, seemed unmoved by Butler’s appeal. Confident on having completed the catch Butler went for the DRS. The on-field umpire did not give a soft signal and the decision from the third umpire came in favour of South Africa.

Usually, the on-field umpire gives a soft signal indicating his view on the decision. The third umpire then has to find conclusive evidence that could overturn the on-field umpire’s decision. If the third umpire cannot find a conclusive evidence then the decision of the on-field umpire stands.

Ben Stokes took to Twitter to comment on the need for a soft signal in a cricket match after the decision. He said, “Ohh 3rd umpire makes a decision with out a soft signal.. so we can get rid of he soft signal now… PLEASE!”

Here is Stokes' tweet

Ohh 3rd umpire makes a decision with out a soft signal..so can we get rid of he soft signal now….PLEASE! https://t.co/9D4Z8St05X

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38)

Ohh 3rd umpire makes a decision with out a soft signal..so can we get rid of he soft signal now….PLEASE! https://t.co/9D4Z8St05X

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 28, 2022

Stokes and many others have been calling for the removal of soft signals from the game. They have often asked the board to do away with this rule as it creates further confusion and is sometimes unfair.

After the game, Jos Butler was adamant about having taken the catch. The England white-ball captain said, "I thought I had it," he said. "But the people who matter disagreed. It's frustrating to have lost and we are trying and working hard to be more consistent, but we've not managed to string our best games together.”

"Sunday is a pressure game and will be a good test for where we are as a team. We haven’t won a series yet this summer which we are not accustomed to” added Butler.