Controversy over Steve Smith's Not Out
Day 2 of the ongoing fifth and final Ashes Test saw a huge controversy arise as Australia batter Steve Smith escaped a questionable run-out decision. Smith made a diving attempt to enter the crease, but England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow managed to catch the ball in time and proceed to remove the bails. Third umpire Nitin Menon was asked to rule, and after considering several perspectives, the result was in Smith’s favor. Replays revealed that Bairstow had removed one of the bails before receiving the ball, which constituted a violation.
Controversy over Steve Smith’s Not Out
When Steve Smith decided to backpedal, TV umpire Nitin Menon had already begun to direct him back toward the dressing room.
Later, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) clarified the non-dismissal.
MCC reacts
MCC responded to Menon’s ruling by tweeting, “Law 29.1 states: “The wicket is damaged when at least one bail is entirely removed from the top of the stumps, or one or more stumps are taken from the ground.”
At that point in the game, Smith had 48 runs in his batting average. Smith went on to score 71 runs as Australia finished the second day with 295 runs, 12 runs more than England’s 283 first-innings total.
We have received a few questions regarding the decision in the below video.
Law 29.1 states: "The wicket is broken when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or one or more stumps is removed from the ground." (1/2)#Ashes pic.twitter.com/RyZMgf5ItF
— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) July 28, 2023
The second change saved Steve Smith
The star hitter for Australia admitted that at first, he believed he could be out, but that a second viewpoint made him reconsider.
He was asked if he was familiar with the rules.
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“Don’t the bails have to come out of the stumps, out of the grooves, or something as far as I know?” Smith replied.
However, you must simply rely on the umpire’s judgment, and thankfully for me, he ruled that I was not out.
