Dead ball controversy mars the first day of Headingley Test - Cricket News Update
The second Test at Headingley was marred by a dead-ball controversy when South African captain, Graeme Smith, was caught at first slip off English bowler Steven Finn, who knocked over the bails in his delivery stride at the non-striker’s end.
As the home side started their celebration, umpire Steve Davis, much to the surprise of the English team, called the delivery a dead ball after the bowler had disturbed the bails, causing distraction to the batsman.
Prior to the incident, the Proteas’ batsmen had already complained to the umpire about Finn, who had knocked off the bails on three previous occasions.
The umpire cited the Law 23.4(b)(vi) which states that, "Either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball when the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while he is preparing to receive, or receiving a delivery. “
However, English spearhead, James Anderson seemed to disagree with the match official and believed that the rule was misinterpreted by the umpire and he never warned the bowler before signalling a dead ball.
South African player AB De Villiers, on the other hand, maintained that the warning had already been communicated to the opposition once the two batsmen decided to bring the issue into umpire’s notice.
"Graeme and Alviro made the point between balls. Steve said there was going to be a warning. He could easily have turned it down and say it won't be a dead ball," De Villiers disclosed.
After winning the toss, the home side invited the visitors to bat first, but much to their frustrations, the opening Proteas pair piled up 120. The incident occurred when Smith was batting on 6 and went on to raise his 33rd half-century.
While the International Cricket Council (ICC) said the umpire was upholding the law, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which remains the guardians of the laws of the game since 1787, in a press release have hinted at the grey area in the law with regard to the incident.
"Whether the batsman is distracted - or indeed has time to be distracted - is a moot point," the MCC stated.
The statement read that the batsman should have pulled away had he felt distracted but further added that moving away could have been difficult with the pit could have a little difficult with a pace bowler like Finn.
Tags: