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'Absolute joke': Australia erupts over 'ridiculous' umpiring farce

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Cheteshwar Pujara, pictured here surviving a close lbw shout.
Nathan Lyon and the Aussies thought Cheteshwar Pujara should have been out. Image: Cricket Network

The Aussies were left visibly frustrated during the morning session on day five of the Gabba Test against India when an agonisingly close DRS decision went against them.

Nathan Lyon and Tim Paine thought they had Cheteshwar Pujara trapped lbw when the Indian batsman failed to offer a shot and was wrapped on the pad.

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Australian captain Paine decided to throw the decision to DRS in the hope of getting on-field umpire Paul Wilson’s ‘not out’ decision overturned.

However the Aussies were left furious when DRS came up with “umpire’s call” despite a massive portion of the ball predicted to hit the stumps.

Lyon threw his hands in their air and walked away in anger after watching replays on the big screen, while Pat Cummins appeared equally gobsmacked.

“He's furious, Nathan Lyon. Furious,” Brett Lee said in commentary for Channel 7.

“That's a big moment. And that has irked the Australians.”

Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket: “It was awfully close, there was nearly enough there for the decision to be overturned. That is about 1cm from being out.”

On ABC Grandstand, former Test captain Ian Chappell was seething.

“The bulk of the ball is hitting the stumps, how can that be umpire’s call?” Chappell asked.

“That’s more than 50 per cent of the ball hitting the stumps, how the hell... I’ve never trusted the DRS and that’s even more reason not to trust it.”

Under current DRS rules, more than 50 per cent of the ball needs to be hitting more than 50 per cent of a stump in order for a batsman to be given out lbw.

Fans and commentators were also furious on social media.

India defy Australia in morning session

The controversial call and India’s stubborn resistance stalled Australia’s push for victory at the Gabba, where the tourists reached 1-83 at lunch on the final day of the four-Test series.

At the break, India required a further 245 runs to complete what would be a record-breaking chase at the venue.

Pujara’s vigil (eight from 90 balls) suggested they are not focusing on the target of 328, set late on day four of the series-deciding fourth Test after Australia were bowled out for 294.

But fellow unbeaten batsman Shubman Gill scored relatively freely and looked remarkably comfortable in a fluent knock of 64.

Australian players, pictured here reacting to replays of the controversial DRS call.
Australian players react to replays of the controversial DRS call. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Tim Paine’s team require a victory to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy, while India will extend their four-year hold of the silverware with a draw or win.

The result will also have a major impact on the world Test championship standings, which Australia top as they bid to take part in this year's final at Lord's.

Pat Cummins delivered the scalp of Rohit Sharma in an impressive opening spell of 1-4 that spanned six overs.

Cummins worked over Pujara during his second spell, landing several body blows plus a knock to the helmet that resulted in a concussion assessment, but couldn't conjure another breakthrough.

Pujara and 21-year-old Gill, among many debutants to have impressed during this series, were otherwise largely in control during an unbeaten 65-run stand.

with AAP

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