New Delhi: Drama unfolded at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) at the start of Day 4’s play in the ongoing 4th Test between India and Australia on Sunday after Pat Cummins was denied a review following a controversial call by the third umpire. Cummins and other Aussie players were seen arguing with the two on-field umpires after Australia were denied a review.
The incident took place during the 119th over of India’s first innings in the morning session on Day 4. On the final ball of the over, Cummins bowled a full-length delivery angled across Siraj. The tail-ender went after it and ended up edging it to Steve Smith at slips. The ball seemed to have bounced before getting caught by Smith.
The on-field umpire decided to go upstairs after Australia’s appeal and the third umpire deemed Siraj not out after having a quick look at the replays. Third umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat felt the ball had dipped before getting caught by Smith. “I can see the ball after hitting the back, I am satisfied,” he said as ‘Not Out’ appeared on the big screen.
However, Australia were not convinced by the third umpire’s decision and skipper Cummins wanted a review against the third umpire’s call. The Aussie skipper was spotted signalling for DRS while arguing with the on-field umpire Michael Gough over the decision. However, he was denied a review by the on-field umpires as the decision was already from the third umpire.
Siraj was ultimately allowed to continue batting after Cummins’ appeal for a DRS on the third umpire’s call was turned down by the on-field umpires.
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Though Cummins was not allowed to review the third umpire’s call, the controversial decision didn’t affect Australia much as Nitish Reddy was eventually dismissed by Nathan Lyon in the next over, ending India’s first innings. Reddy got out after scoring a brilliant 114 as India were bowled out for 369 runs, conceding a lead of 105 runs to Australia.
Ravi Shastri, Adam Gilchrist left baffled
Ravi Shastri and Adam Gilchrist were left baffled after Cummins was denied a review following the third umpire’s call. Gilchrist said on air that he hadn’t seen anything like that as the Aussie skipper deserved to get the decision reviewed to ensure the third umpire had a second look closely.
“This is very interesting. I have never seen this before. He is saying, ‘You, as umpires, took it upstairs on your own behalf, but I want to review the decision.’ I do think it needs to be looked at very closely,” Gilchrist said on air.
Shastri agreed with the legendary Australia wicket-keeper batter and insisted it was a very quick call by the third umpire. “The umpire said I’ve seen the ball bounce after it hit the bat. That was a very quick call, a very quick call, just two replays,” said Shastri.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins was spotted arguing with the on-field umpires after being denied a review over a controversial 3rd umpire call on Mohammed Siraj during Day 4 of the ongoing 4th Test at the MCG. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
