- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Nathan Lyon was denied several potential wickets by the umpires on a tense final day of the third Test as Australia were forced to settle for a draw against South Africa in the rain-shortened match in Sydney.
Lyon had two glaring wickets denied – one from an LBW decision and another from another low catch which was given out but overruled by the third umpire when the batter stood their ground, plus a couple of other close LBW calls.
The batter on each occasion for the main two controversies was Heinrich Klaasen who lasted 61 deliveries in his 35 in the second innings after the tourists were forced to follow on. The drawn result prevented Australia from sweeping the three-match series and from going five from five in their home summer program against the Proteas and West Indies.
Former Australian batter Mark Waugh was adamant the LBW call was wrong even though the DRS ruled the impact was umpire’s call, meaning Chris Gaffaney’s original not-out decision remained.
CLICK HERE for a seven-day free trial to watch cricket on KAYO
“I reckon that’s given out nine times out of 10,” Waugh said.
Waugh and fellow Fox Cricket commentators Ian Smith and Kerry O’Keeffe were also bemused when Klaasen was given not out off Lyon when a catch by Steve Smith at slip was ruled to have not carried.
“With all the forensic technology to stop this sort of thing happening, the wrong decisions are still being made,” O’Keeffe said.
Gaffaney gave the soft signal of out as he lodged the third review this Test for a suspected catch in the slips cordon.
Third umpire Richard Kettleborough examined multiple replays and requested to view a side-on angle of the would-be catch.
But none was forthcoming as host broadcaster Fox Sports, which provides footage to the third umpire, did not have access to a side-on replay.
Despite this, Kettleborough zoomed in on a front-on angle of the catch before determining the ball had contacted the ground after it passed into Smith’s hands, just as he believed it did on two previous occasions in this Test.
“It was a shame we didn’t hold those chances and a couple of those half calls didn’t go our way, especially early,” Cummins said. “Fourteen wickets in a day is always hard work, especially given the wickets wasn’t doing all sorts.
“Realistically, you would like to send them back in before lunch. Ten wickets in the last 40 or 50 overs is always going to be hard work.”
Klaasen was eventually dismissed for 35, three overs after the non-catch, when Josh Hazlewood’s length ball swung into the stumps as he tried to play a drive.
Australia celebrate with the trophy. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Hazlewood took 4-48 in his comeback from injury as South Africa were bowled out for 255 in reply to Australia’s 4(dec)-475.
Pat Cummins (3-60) and Lyon (2-88) also toiled hard as the Proteas dug in after resuming on 6-149.
Ashton Agar went wicketless but Cummins said he was certain the West Australian would be named in the tour squad to India later in the week.
“I’m sure Ash will be there,” Cummins said. “This wicket was a lot different to India. It wasn’t really spinning out of the middle. I thought he did really well.”
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Proteas captain Dean Elgar was out for 10, gloving a short ball for the fourth time this series, to give the Aussies a glimmer of hope of bowling out the visitors in the 47 overs left for their second innings.
But Klaasen put on 48 in 18 overs with Sarel Erwee (42 not out), who then combined with Temba Bavuma (17 not out) to see the South Africans to safety at 2-106 when stumps were called early with no result possible.
“The players had a conversation last night,” Elgar said. “We could lie down and let Aussie roll us here and create a little more embarrassment. Or we could go out and fight on day five.”
Australia’s wins in Brisbane and Melbourne last month had allowed them to claim their first series win over the Proteas since 2014.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.