England captain Joe Root was at the centre of much controversy late on Day 5 of the second Ashes Test.
Australia looked to have halted the home side’s momentum with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head at the crease, until an unlucky ricochet off a nearby fielder saw Root pounce.
Though Root quickly celebrated and claimed a catch, officials sent the decision to the third umpire Joel Wilson with a soft signal of out and things quickly became tricky.
While one angle suggested the ball may have clipped grass prior to Root getting his hands on it, another indicated the catch was fine.
Wilson eventually confirmed Root’s effort to have resulted in a catch, bringing Labuschagne’s innings to an end on 59.
However, the right-hander was clearly unhappy with the call, having an exchange with Root as he made his way off the field.
Despite the nerves that followed, the Aussies would hold on to draw the Test and retain their 1-0 series lead.
In his post-match press conference, Root defended his catch, saying it was disappointing to have his character questioned.
Labuschagne had entered the game on Day 5, becoming Test cricket’s first-ever concussion substitute under new rules brought in this month, after Steve Smith was withdrawn following a nasty blow to the neck on Day 4.
Gauss
Roar Rookie
Who wouldn’t have an issue if an Aussie caught it? Some of us are just cricket fans who want to see the game played the right way. All Root needed to do was signal “not sure, ump”, as I’ve seen numerous players, Australian and otherwise, do in recent years. I would imagine the umpire’s soft signal is heavily influenced by the certainty of the catcher’s reaction, and it’s hard to overturn from there. So effectively we’re back to the old days of just taking the fieldsman’s word for it. So it seems we have to accept that Root was certain that he had taken the catch. I’m ok with that, I just wish I hadn’t seen those damned replays.
wc3030
Roar Rookie
I am a player and a great lover of cricket and in the best interest, longevity, and progress of the game, many innovations have been added. Technology is the most intrusive and controversial, at times. I do not hold Joe Root responsible for any wrongdoing. The third umpire is the one who messed-up. Of what value is technology, if we are not prepared to objectively and critically analyze the product? If there is any doubt about the resultant, then the batsman should be given the benefit of the doubt. We use as many angles as possible, to try to arrive at the truth. In all my years in cricket (more than five decades), it has always been held that if the ball comes into contact with the ground before the fielder catches the ball, then the batsman is NOT-OUT. That should have been the end of the matter. Are we interested in truth and integrity? Or looking good? The ICC needs to think of and plan for the future and longevity of Cricket.
Ben
Guest
Coming from an Australian, it's pretty pathetic to see the hypocrisy of all you crying about Root 'cheating' considering you wouldnt have an issue if an Aussie caught it. Classic australian way of turning around and playing the victim when something goes against us, nice parochialism guys....
Peter Warrington
Guest
then you should ask the umpires, watching at ground levelish and without any lens distortion, signalled it out. All Wilson did was decide he couldn't overturn it. I am With Tubs Taylor. looks out. Fielder said out. Umps agreed. ta ta. Boot up the freckle for Labu for dissenting.
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
If it walks like a duck...
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
It bounced, we all saw it. Yet you still claimed the catch. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Rainbow
Guest
The more i watch that, the more it is plain obvious that the ball bounced. Maybe he did think he caught it but even when shown the replay he doubles down and says it was a fair catch. The outcry from the poms would be yuuuge if this was Warner.
Gauss
Roar Rookie
"Sometimes it is impossible to tell". Maybe. But Root didn't say he couldn't tell, he held his finger up and said it was out. So he claims to be certain that he caught it, and that's a more difficult position to sustain in the light of all the evidence.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi all. It should not even come to the fielder having and opinion or asked by umpire.
U
Roar Rookie
It’s not like the Poms cheated to win an ashes series in 2005.
George
Guest
Or for not being Australian - basically free rein for criticism on The Roar.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Perhaps he should have caught it with a piece of sandpaper. In all fairness I have played cricket & sometimes it's impossible to tell. However because it was Root, he must have "cheated". Some people still haven't forgiven him for attacking Warner's fist with his face.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Wow. I’d have thought it a little too early, even for the usual suspects, to be lobbing ‘liar’ and ‘cheat’ around regarding an opposition’s captain. Seems not. Even the inveterate cheerleader Ian Healey called it fair in commentary. Which is irrelevant anyway, because Root already had.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
You may have 'felt' that way and you may have thought it was a catch at the time. But on seeing the replay, slomo or not, it's clear the ball bounced. So, defending yourself now is a bit lame.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Little Joe looks like a Cheetah caught in a spotlight
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
Sorry Root, but that was cheating. :thumbdown:
Rainbow
Guest
That ball hit the ground. Show some courage Joe and admit you lied.