In the third test between Australia and South Africa at the SCG a controversial incident happened before the bad light interrupted the game. Australia was off to a flourishing start after opting to bat first and they lost only a single wicket in the first session. To watch Marnus Labuschagne’s controversial dismissal read more.
Warner departed early after fishing a wide one outside off by Anrich Nortje in the 4th over. Khawaja and Labuschagne stood there and neglected the South African pace attack comfortably. They posted 126 runs together and put the home side in a solid position once again in the series.
Marnus Labuschagne’s controversial dismissal leaves Cricket World divided
In the 40th over of the Australian innings, Marnus Labuschagne fetched one outside off for a cover drive which resulted in an outside edge carrying through to the only man standing on the slip cordon. Harmer the man at slip claimed the catch confidently and the on-field thinks so as well.
Due to the uncertainty in the completion of the catch, the on-field umpire decided to go upstairs to the third umpire. The third umpire thought otherwise after looking at the replays and gave it as not out even after no conclusive evidence.
Your view: out or not-out? #AUSvSA
(via @cricketcomau) pic.twitter.com/Oq8dRPRk3N
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 4, 2023
The decision of the third umpire left the South African players along with their former captain in utter disappointment as the soft signal was out. According to the rules in such a 50-50 situation, the first call of the on-field umpire remains superior.
Former South African captain Faf Duplessis is in total disbelief after the controversial call by the third umpire
The veteran South African batter showed his disappointment with the third umpire’s decision via a tweet. He tweeted “Out … Especially because the soft signal was out !!!”
Out ☝🏾… Especially because soft signal was out !!!
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) January 4, 2023
Former Australian greats presented in the Fox TV comm box gave their unbiased opinion on the decision. Mark Waugh said “That could go either way, let’s be honest. It was tough to tell. I thought front-on it probably looked out, but side-on there was enough doubt there,”
His fellow partner Gilchrist agreed with him and added “I’m not convinced I’ve seen that, with certainty, can turn that decision around the other way.”
