The Australian skipper, Tim Paine blasted cricket’s Decision Review System (DRS) on Friday, saying it left him “disappointed and angry” after he was dismissed controversially in the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand. On Saturday, another DRS drama takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) after Mitchell Santner survived a contentious caught-out review during the New Zealand innings.
The ball appeared to make contact with the sweatband of Santner’s right glove, which is considered part of the bat under the Laws of Cricket, however, third umpire Aleem Dar stuck with on-field umpire Marais Erasmus’ original decision of not out.
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Australia was convinced he was out and replays showed it skimmed off the wristband of his glove, but third umpire Aleem Dar deemed it inconclusive and Santner remained. Here is the video of the controversial incident:
The third umpire Aleem Dar decided he couldn't overturn the call made by Marais Erasmus – what's your call? #SpecsaversCricket@SpecsaversAU | #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/hDWFwtAfu3
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2019
Talking about the decision to Fox Cricket, the pacer, James Pattinson said, “It looked like it touched the sweatband. I suppose you have to go with the on-field umpire’s decision but there’s a bit of speculation on it.”
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting too was left fuming with Aleem Dar’s decision.
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Ponting had further added, “That has been missed by the third umpire, absolutely as plain as day … if you can’t get that right, then you shouldn’t be doing it,” said Ponting. “(The sweatband) clearly moves before it goes into the forearm guard. That in my opinion is conclusive evidence.”
.@RickyPonting: "That has been missed by the third umpire, absolutely as plain as day … if you can't get that right, then you shouldn't be doing it.
"(The sweatband) clearly moves before it goes into the forearm guard. That in my opinion is conclusive evidence."#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/QyUAJauAjQ
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 28, 2019
However, Santner’s stay at the crease was short-lived after the New Zealander was sent packing for 3 by Pattinson. New Zealand collapsed under an unrelenting Australian pace barrage led by Pat Cummins, all out for 148 and in danger of a big defeat in the second Test in Melbourne.
The world’s number one Test bowler Cummins was the chief destroyer, ending with 5-28. Australia could have enforced the follow-on but opted to bat again, going to tea at 28 without loss.
