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'What a disgrace': Cricket world erupts over 'ridiculous' controversy

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Joe Root, pictured here remonstrating with umpires in the third Test between India and England.
Joe Root remonstrated with umpires after the Ben Stokes catch controversy. Image: Star Sports

England were once again left fuming with the umpires during the third Test against India on Wednesday, with controversy erupting over a Ben Stokes claimed catch.

England were irritated by their own deficiencies, but also aggrieved about what they see as umpiring inconsistency during their calamitous start to the third Test.

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The tourists' top order completely misjudged the spin of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, who shared nine wickets as England flopped for 112 all out despite winning the toss.

India finished at 3-99 at stumps, with England leaving the field annoyed about the manner in which decisions were being reached by umpires.

Third umpire Chettithody Shamshuddin was at the centre of the drama, upholding Jack Leach's dismissal after meticulously checking a low catch, only to later reprieve Shubman Gill in hasty fashion when Stokes claimed a similarly disputed take.

Shamshuddin, who was at the centre of a row during England's 2016-17 tour of India and eventually stood down from the final Twenty20 after several dubious decisions, took only a few seconds and a couple of replays to resolve what seemed a very close call in India's favour.

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Root was overheard on the stump microphones telling the on-field officials "all we want is consistency" and continued his remonstrations at the close of play.

Zak Crawley took media duties at the close, hinting at the growing annoyance in the away dressing room following previous concerns earlier in the series.

"It's very frustrating. We're behind the game and we need those little 50-50s to go our way," he said.

"It seemed like none of them went our way today."

Ben Stokes, pictured here claiming a low catch in the third Test against India.
Ben Stokes claimed a low catch, but did the ball hit the grass? Image: Star Sports

"When we batted Jack had one where it didn't quite carry and it seemed like they looked at it from five or six different angles.

"When we were fielding it seemed like they looked at it from one angle. That's where the frustrations lie.

"I can't say whether they were out or not out, but I think the frustrations lie with not checking more thoroughly."

Asked about Root's intervention with the standing umpires Nitin Menon and Anil Chaudhary, he pleaded junior status.

"I would like to answer but I'll leave that to the captain and senior players," he said.

"As a young player I'll keep my nose out of that situation, that's for Joe I think!"

A number of England greats also hit out at the umpires, however many were of the firm belief that Stokes definitely didn't catch the ball before it hit the grass.

with AAP

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