Harry Brook: An umpiring error has come to light following Harry Brook’s dismissal in England’s second innings, which reportedly stemmed from an illegal delivery by Australian all-rounder Beau Webster that went unnoticed.
On Day 4 of the Sydney Test, with England at 219/3, Webster trapped Brook lbw for 42, a wicket that handed the tourists a slender 36-run lead. However, replays later showed Webster had overstepped, with his back foot clearly outside the return crease. Third umpire Kumar Dharmasena failed to detect the no-ball, according to Code Sports.
Under the laws, the third umpire is required to check every wicket-taking delivery for front and back-foot no-balls. Had the infringement been identified, Brook should have been recalled to the crease.
England’s innings unravelled soon after Brook’s dismissal, yielding just 124 further runs and setting Australia a modest target of 160. The hosts chased it down comfortably to seal a 4–1 series victory.
On Day 5, Australia opener Jake Weatherald was also reprieved after appearing to edge a delivery from England seamer Brydon Carse. Dharmasena ruled there was insufficient evidence of a clear spike on Snicko, a decision that visibly frustrated Carse and left captain Ben Stokes furious as he challenged the on-field umpire.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said such errors are unacceptable in the modern game, stressing that technology should prevent mistakes of this magnitude.
“That shouldn’t happen. That is a big moment. Are the third umpires looking for a back foot no-ball or not? They’re the officiators of the game; they should know every rule. It’s a no ball, it should have been called,” he told News Corp.
Article Source: IANS