ODI World Cup 2023: Steven Smith left bemused after lbw off Kagiso Rabada

Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Disney+Hotstar)

Australia are playing against South Africa in their second match of the highly anticipated ODI World Cup 2023 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

The Proteas batted first and managed to score 311 runs in their allotted 50 overs. In response, the Australian team had a shaky start to their chase, losing both of their openers with just 27 runs on the board. Steven Smith, who came in to bat after the fall of the first wicket, showed promise and played some impressive shots before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada.

Coming to Smith’s dismissal, he missed a glance against an in-slanting short-of-length delivery. Initially, Smith believed it was missing leg stump, but Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma were confident and decided to review the decision. Surprisingly, the ball-tracking showed that it would hit the leg stump. Despite his reluctance, Smith had to leave the field.

This unexpected turn of events came as a shock to Smith and gave South Africa a significant advantage. Smith had shifted across the crease, making it appear as though the ball would miss leg stump. However, there was not even the umpire’s call on HawkEye that could have saved him, as it was three reds on the screen. This dismissal proved to be a pivotal moment and a major blow for Australia.

In the match, yet another dismissal ignited the debate surrounding the role of the TV umpire. Marcus Stoinis, the Australian all-rounder, found himself at the centre of controversy as he was controversially declared out caught behind during Australia’s chase.

Stoinis was batting in the 18th over when he played a quick delivery from Kagiso Rabada. A tumbling catch by Quinton de Kock down the leg side sent Stoinis walking back to the pavilion. Coming to the wicket, South Africa decided to take the review, and UltraEdge technology seemed to indicate a faint tickle of the ball against Stoinis’ bottom hand.

However, the real drama unfolded when the third umpire, Richard Kettleborough, weighed in. Despite Stoinis seemingly letting go of the bat handle, Kettleborough ruled that the right glove still had contact with the left, which was in contact with the bat. Consequently, Stoinis was given out, scoring just five runs, leaving many, including Stoinis himself, baffled by the decision.