Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting has lashed out on the third umpire after Australia opener David Warner was given a reprieve on day two of the ongoing first game of the ongoing Ashes Test series when he was bowled by Ben Stokes off a no-ball.
Ben Stokes, who is playing his first competitive match since The Hundred in July, bowled 14 no-balls in the first session but only one was called out on-field in which he managed to dismiss David Warner. Australia’s star opener David Warner received a reprieve on Day 2 of the ongoing gabba Test as he was dismissed by Ben Stokes off a no-ball.
David Warner twice edged through the slips and was bowled out on 17 by Ben Stokes but had a reprieve as it was a no-ball. After this incident, the TV replays also showed that Ben Stokes had overstepped on the first three deliveries of his first Test over as well.
It has to be noted that the on-field umpires are no longer responsible for checking no-balls and third umpire keeps an eye out for bowlers.
Disappointed with the umpiring standards, Ricky Ponting came down hard on the third-umpires. While speaking on Channel 7, Ricky Ponting slammed the ‘pathetic officiating’ after Warner got another lifeline. Ricky Ponting was furious at this mistake by the third umpire and he said:
“If someone upstairs is supposed to be checking these and they haven’t decided that any of those are a no-ball, that’s just pathetic officiating as far as I’m concerned,”
He added: “It led to what we saw late in the over. If he’d have been called for a no-ball the first one he bowled, then of course he’s going to drag his foot back. I’m not sure what’s happened. I’m keen to hear why it hasn’t happened earlier,”
Also, speaking on Channel 7, former Australia bowler Trent Copeland said: “If you don’t know this is happening [as a bowler] and the review only happens when a wicket falls, I feel like we’re being failed by technology that could be used.”
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