Marcus Stoinis was fuming. Marnus Labuschagne was perplexed. Commentators were disappointed. And fans were angry. Netizens erupted on Twitter as a fresh controversy brewed up when Marcus Stoinis was given out by third umpire Richard Kettleborough during their World Cup 2023 encounter against South Africa.
Australia and South Africa met for match number 10 of the World Cup 2023 in Lucknow on Thursday.
Australia were already struggling at 70/5 in their chase of a daunting target of 312 runs against the Proteas, when Kagiso Rabada bowled a delivery on the legside of Stoinis. Stoinis tried to nudge it behind on the leg-side, but at the time of contact with the ball of his bottom hand glove, his bottom hand seemed to have come off the handle.
The ball brushed the finger of the glove of his bottom hand – which was off the handle – and was caught by wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.
The rule is that if the ball is in contact with the glove which is off the handle of the bat, then the batsman is not out. However, when matters went up to the third umpire Richard Kettleborough, he declared Marcus Stoinis out; perhaps Kettleborough thought Stoinis’ bottom hand – which was off the handle – was still in contact with his upper hand, which held the bat, so he gave the Aussie batter out.
However, in another replay, it can be clearly seen that Stonis’ bottom hand is away from the handle and the upper hand. This means that Stoinis should indeed have been not out, something which the commentators and the fans also believe.
Marcus Stoinis was angry with it and argued with the umpires, and so did Labuschagne. But the decision was made and he had to walk back.
Fans on social media, though, voiced their opinion on this controversial call.
Reactions of fans on Marcus Stoinis’ controversial dismissal vs South Africa:
Teams:
South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
