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'Another disaster': New Zealand frustrated by agonising DRS confusion

Chris Young

Cricket’s decision review system is in the spotlight again, after two seemingly contradictory decisions cost Australia the wicket of captain Tim Paine, and potentially denied New Zealand the wicket of century-maker Travis Head.

Paine was sent packing on an earlier DRS referral from New Zealand, denied the chance to pursue his maiden Test century.

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Neil Wagner got his man as the Australian skipper was removed for 79, but was left irritated by the umpires a short time later.

The Kiwis were not as fortunate when the referred a fairly similar looking ball to Head to the video umpire - but this time they were brought undone by the dreaded ‘umpire’s call’ caveat.

The ball tracking technology that was enough to dismiss Paine was not as conclusive in Head’s case, earning a reprieve for the Aussie batsman after field umpire Marais Erasmus ruled the ball was going to miss the bails.

The ball tracking technology though, seemed to show that the ball looked more than likely to clip leg stump, sitting comfortably under bail height.

New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner was at a loss after DRS failed to give him the wicket of Australian century-maker Travis Head on day two of the Boxing Day Test. Pictures: Channel 7/Getty Images
New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner was at a loss after DRS failed to give him the wicket of Australian century-maker Travis Head on day two of the Boxing Day Test. Pictures: Channel 7/Getty Images

Fox Cricket commentator Kerry O’Keeffe was left bemused by the decision, querying why Travis Head’s referral was judged to be umpire’s call, when it seemed obvious it would have gone on to hit the stumps.

“We discussed it earlier about this umpires call and that ball was hitting the stumps,” O’Keeffe said.

“New Zealanders of course are not liking it, but the original decision stands.”

Adding insult to injury for New Zealand, Head smacked consecutive boundaries immediately after the review.

The Kiwis eventually bowled Australia out for 467, sweeping quickly through the tail after Head finally was removed for 113.

After a marathon stint in the field to open the match, New Zealand lost opener Tom Blundell cheaply after just five overs.

Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson followed suit a short time later, leaving the visitors in trouble at 2/40 midway through the final session of the day.

Ross Taylor later survived an LBW shout from James Pattinson, after his review revealed the ball was going over the stumps.