The recently-concluded game between Australia and South Africa saw a purely one-sided contest as Proteas got the better of the Aussies by a massive margin of 134 runs at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. Both teams locked horns with each other in the five-match ODI series recently, in which Proteas won the series by 3-2, despite losing the first two games.
When the two titans collided in the mega tournament, the Aussies’ performances were short of an effect as South Africa literally fired all cylinders and got their tactics spot on. However, the Australians still can’t get over with Steve Smith’s controversial dismissal. It was a dismissal that shocked the Aussies, including the on-field umpire and the general cricket fans. Let’s learn more about how the drama unfolded.
Steve Smith gets dismissed in a controversial fashion against South Africa
The incident happened during the 10th over of Australia’s innings when Kagiso Rabada pitched the ball down the leg side. Smith realized that it was a good delivery as he decided to defend it in the first place by moving across the line but that was to no avail as he was beaten all ends up. As soon as the white leather went on to hit Smith’s pads, South African made a half-hearted appeal and the on-field umpire was not interested at all.
— Ishan Martinez (@IshanMarti66419) October 12, 2023
Meanwhile, Rabada had a quick chat with Quinton de Kock and the players were interested in taking the DRS call. Steve Smith was convinced that the ball was easily missing the leg stump and was seen standing calmly at the crease but little did he know that the technology would go on to surprise him and the umpire. Upon reviewing, the DRS showed that the ball pitched in line and was hitting the leg stump.
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As a result, the on-field umpire had to reverse his decision from “not out” to “out”. While the umpire looked surprised by it, Steve Smith couldn’t believe what had happened as he made his way back to the dressing room with disappointment, perhaps it’s uncertain that there was any technical error in Smith’s dismissal but the incident became a major talking point on the internet.