The DRS technology has come under scrutiny after a “bizarre” dismissal raised eyebrows during Australia’s first T20 against the West Indies on the Gold Coast.
The visitors were 3/76 in the 11th over at Metricon Stadium when Australian seamer Mitchell Starc delivered a searing yorker that trapped West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran on the front pad.
Australian skipper Aaron Finch called for a review after umpire Donovan Koch shook his head, with replays suggesting the Kookaburra was sliding down leg.
“Down leg,” former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin muttered on Fox Cricket.
Australian cricket great Mark Waugh continued: “No doubt about it, that’s missing leg, play on.”
But to everyone’s surprise, including Starc, the on-field decision was overturned after Hawkeye showed the ball crashing into leg stump.
A baffled Pooran returned to the sheds for 2, shaking his head all the way back to the dugout.
“Mitchell Starc can’t believe it, he was nearly back at the top of his mark,” former Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian cried.
“That’s unbelievable. The skipper’s got to go, I don’t think he’s happy about that.”
Waugh continued: “I can’t believe that ball’s straightened on the angle.
“We can’t argue with technology, but we will in this case.”
Cricket commentator Adam White tweeted: “That’s a disgrace that was given out. That sort of technology glitch/error should worry a lot of cricket people.”
The West Indies mustered 9/145 from their 20 overs, with opener Kyle Mayers top-scoring for the two-time T20 World Cup champions with 39 (36).
Jamaican all-rounder Odean Smith contributed a crucial 27 (17) at the death, while paceman Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the Australian bowlers with three wickets.
Steve Smith was dropped for the series opener, with T20 globetrotter Tim David edging the former Australian captain out of the starting XI.
