Cricket Australia looks to make major changes to third umpire after Marnus Labuschagne survives controversial catch despite ‘secret’ vision showing he is out
- Cricket Australia is looking at making major changes to the third umpire’s camera set-up
- Simon Harmer looked to send Marnus Labuschagne off but it wasn’t a given
- A new front-on angle questioned the third umpire’s decision on Wednesday
Cricket Australia will consider changing the way third umpires are given broadcast vision after a controversial decision not to appear on the first day of the third Test against South Africa in Sydney.
Simon Harmer looks to have dismissed Marnus Labuschagne on 70 with a low catch in the slips. However, despite the umpire’s weak out signal, third umpire Richard Kettleborough ruled that the ball had bounced before it entered Harmer’s hands.
Cricket Australia will consider changing the way third umpires are given broadcast vision after a controversial decision not to appear on the first day of the third Test against South Africa in Sydney
Simon Harmer looks to have dismissed Marnus Labuschagne on 70 with a low catch in the slips. However, despite the umpire’s weak out signal, third umpire Richard Kettleborough ruled that the ball had bounced before it entered Harmer’s hands
Kettleborough mainly reviewed side-on replays of the catch, but a front-on angle from the Seven Network questioned the third umpire’s decision when posted on social media on Wednesday.
However, Kettleborough does not have access to the angle, as the third umpire is currently only given a view from the host broadcaster, Fox Sports.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley defended the match officials’ decision, but said CA was committed to conducting a review that would determine whether the third umpire was given footage from both television rights holders.
‘Broadcasting cricket is probably the most complicated of any of the major sports,’ he told SEN.
‘We have a large number of cameras. Yesterday was a really, really good margin.
‘Referees and match umpires make the best calls they can with the information they have.
‘It is something we will think about and look at and evaluate. We will look into it after the Test match.’
Kettleborough mainly reviewed side-on replays of the catch, but a front-on angle from the Seven Network questioned the third umpire’s decision when posted on social media on Wednesday
Poor light and wet weather marred the first day of the Test, especially when play was stopped for two and a half hours in the afternoon.
‘It was very frustrating, especially the combination of light and rain,’ said Hockley.
But playing in low light or switching to a pink ball is not the answer, according to Hockley, who is holding out for upgrades to the SCG’s lights.
‘Obviously the rules (about dim lighting) are there with safety in mind,’ he said.
South Africa’s Marco Jansen (pictured) was left furious at the decision
‘I think changing the ball during the game is really problematic. I think that introduces a bit of a game changer.
‘I hope that with lighting upgrades, there is a big transition to LEDs from traditional bulbs, that we will see less and less of these types of delays.’
