Controversial stumping call leaves cricket world in a spin
The final day of Sri Lanka's Test against Zimbabwe has been marred by a highly controversial stumping decision.
Sri Lanka denied Zimbabwe their first series away win in 16 years by chasing down a record 388 to win the one-off Test by four wickets in Colombo.
But after the match Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer bemoaned a third umpire decision to reprieve Niroshan Dickwella, a decision that aided Sri Lanka's record chase.
The decision was "tough", said Cremer, whose spin bowling had the hosts in early trouble on the final day before a 121-run partnership between Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne secured Sri Lanka's best-ever run chase of 388.
Dickwella rescued Sri Lanka from a precarious 203-5, but the left-handed batsman's gritty 81 needed plenty of luck.
The wicketkeeper-batsman survived a stumping from Sikandar Raza's off-spin on 37 and was then dropped by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva on 63.
The stumping reprieve cost Zimbabwe dearly. It was referred to Indian third umpire Chettithody Shamshuddin, who ruled him not out despite replays showing his toe was on the crease - a case where the batsman can be given out.
"From what I saw, I honestly didn't see any doubt why it should be not out, but it's just one of those things," Cremer, who led his side to victory in the one-day series, told reporters.
"I suppose you have technology and it clearly shows ... it's tough when those things go against you when you are trying to win a Test match on the last day," said Cremer who took four for 150.
Fans also took to social media to condemn the decision:
How can you give this Not-out? Ridiculous really. Third umpire should be fined for this. #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/nUCrMPrMOT
— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) July 18, 2017
Crime to give a bad call despite having time and technology. No part of Dickwella's backfoot was inside the crease. Poor, C Shamsuddin.
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) July 18, 2017
Not fair, especially when Dickwella was given not out from this clear stumping when he was in his 40's pic.twitter.com/tuuS8h8tUY
— LucasLeiva (@Skhomo23) July 18, 2017
Zimbabwe will go for lunch feeling gutted and hard done-by because of the stumping decision that should have gone their way. #SLvZim
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 18, 2017
#SLvZIM very hard to digest that stumping decision,it's just not one of those where u could say maybe a very tiny part was behind the line
— 🇺🇸 Mir 🇺🇸 (@Mir_Chilling) July 18, 2017
I do feel sympathy to @ZimCricketv on @NiroshanDikka stumping. It's not Dikwellas fault its poor umpiring#SLvZIM #SriLanka #LKA
— Adhisha De Silva (@Adhisha4) July 18, 2017
Dickwella gets to his 50 thanks to the shockingly biased umpiring #heshouldbehavingashower
— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) July 18, 2017
with AFP