'It's miles away': DRS controversy erupts in fourth Test
Two controversial decisions have left commentators confused on day two at the SCG.
The Aussies made a key breakthrough on Friday morning when they had Hanuma Vihari caught at bat-pad off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.
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Vihari was adjudged to have top-edged the ball into his arm while attempting a sweep shot, before the ball bobbed up to Marnus Labuschagne.
Vihari immediately reviewed the out decision, but was shocked to see a spike on Snicko as the ball went past the bat.
However there was clear daylight between bat and ball when the spike registered, leaving commentators questioning the upheld decision of out.
“It’s very hard to tell if that’s matched up, the spike and the line,” Adam Gilchrist said for Fox Sports. “It’s miles away.”
Brett Lee added: “It looks like it’s miles away.
“It’s definitely missed the bat — has it got the wristband of the glove?”
Channel 7’s Akash Chopra was equally as confused.
“There was noise, yes, but it was not from the ball hitting the bat,” Chopra told SEN Radio.
Out or not out? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/3cylGTSrij
— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 4, 2019
“I spoke to Hawk-Eye and they said there was a clear gap between the bat and the ball.
“We didn’t even see the hotspot. I don’t know where the noise actually came from, there was some noise, and that’s what Snicko must have picked up.
“Hawk-Eye was also suggesting that it (the sound) was slightly off.”
Just a few balls later it was the Aussies who felt hard done by when they thought they had Rishabh Pant caught behind.
Stump microphones picked up a loud noise as Pant attempted a cut shot off Lyon, with Tim Paine going up immediately.
However it was given not out, and Snicko didn’t register anything after the Aussies reviewed.
Australia loses its last review after sending this upstairs for caught behind #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/awv2s80Vw4
— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 4, 2019
“We all just straight away thought that was out,” Glenn McGrath said in commentary for Channel 7.
Pujara’s stunning slice of SCG history
Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara has become the fifth Indian to pass 150 at the SCG, joining well-credentialed compatriots Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and VVS Laxman.
Pujara stroked a delivery from Lyon through the covers for four to bring up the milestone early on day two.
Tendulkar’s knock of 241 not out in 2004 remains the highest score by an Indian at the venue.
with AAP
