'Rub of the green': Aaron Finch at centre of T20 controversy
Australia captain Aaron Finch is counting his lucky stars after surviving a controversial LBW decision against New Zealand in the third T20 international in Wellington.
The out-of-form Aussie skipper came within a whisker of being out for a golden duck during the first over of the do-or-die showdown against the Kiwis.
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Finch was caught on the pads by Black Caps quick Tim Southee in the first over of the match.
The umpire signalled not out with Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson immediately calling for a review.
Replays showed the ball putting and hitting in line, with DRS coming back 'umpire's call', much to the frustration of the home side.
Commentators and fans were left stunned by the huge slice of fortune that went Finch's way.
"That's called rub of the green," Shane Warne said.
"I'm very surprised that that was given not out," Mark Waugh said. "To me that was dead.
"He got lucky there, maybe the luck Finch needed. I'm giving that out every day of the week if I'm an umpire, it just looked… a good chunk of that ball is hitting leg stump, that's out every day of the week."
How is that finch LBW not out ? Crashing into leg peg. I’m confused 🤷🏻♂️ #NZVAUS
— Brett Carson (@BCars29) March 3, 2021
Maybe today is Aaron Finch's day. Gets the umpire's call on an lbw shout falling his way first ball. #NZvAUS
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) March 3, 2021
Could that be the luck Finch needs to get going? First ball LBW was hitting the stumps but stays out there on umpire's call #NZvAUS
— Ben McKay (@benmackey) March 3, 2021
More accurately, Finch survived a review which failed to provide conclusive evidence to overrule the Umpire's Call of not out https://t.co/ka5LRkqxfO
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) March 3, 2021
Aussie skipper capitalises on close call
Finch made the most of his reprieve to smash the 13th T20i half century of his career - to arrest a worrying run of form.
The Aussie skipper showed no sign of nerves in the forties as he reached his 50 off just 34 balls.
The right-handed opener was on 45 runs when he decided to switch-hit Ish Sodhi for six, to bring up his milestone in style.
What a way to bring up 50! Aaron Finch take a bow sir.
Tune in now to #NZVAUS on #FoxCricket Ch 501 or stream on Kayo!
📺WATCH https://t.co/uVHsuTj0bl
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💻Match centre: https://t.co/9hIk9QyEC0 pic.twitter.com/qXAJbwJIf6— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 3, 2021
Finch's opening partner Matthew Wade was the first batsman to go, out for five runs after edging a Trent Boult delivery to first slip.
Josh Philippe hit a 27-ball 43 before being caught in the deep off the bowling of Sodhi.
That brought Glenn Maxwell to the crease, who did what he did best and accelerated the Aussie run-rate with some trademark big hitting.
Finch eventually fell for 69 to give Sodhi his second wicket, with Maxwell continuing his onslaught.
Maxwell smashed 70 runs off just 31 balls before Southee had him caught behind trying to hit a reverse ramp to the boundary.
A late cameo from Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh helped the Aussies finish with 4-208 off their 20 overs.
The match is a must-win for the Aussies, who trail the Kiwis 2-0 in the best-of-five series.
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