REVIEW SYSTEM UNDER MICROSCOPE FOR CALLS
DRS … Decision Review System or Dirty Rotten Stinker?
Many England fans were arguing the second after a controversial escape for the eternally patient Shaun Marsh at the Adelaide Oval.
Marsh showed a maturity and fighting ability that won him justifiable plaudits but it came as a surprise to see him escape an lbw verdict on 29 during a calamitous few overs which saw James Anderson have two lbw decisions overturned by DRS reviews in eight balls.
“There it is again the DRS is the “diabolic review system” that was plumb dead
seriously computers running the game is a joke IMO,’’ tweeted former Sheffield Shield gloveman Darren Berry.
The ball hit Marsh around the knee roll directly in front and umpire Chris Gaffney soon raised his finger.
Marsh, who has justified his controversial recall with spirited innings in both Tests, has been known to be so self-effacing that he has failed to review borderline calls but after talking to Tim Paine he rightfully went to the video. To the surprise of many the camera showed the ball was clearly passing above off-stump by a comfortable margin, confounding seasoned observers who felt it would have knocked back middle peg.
The decision called into play the merit of using technology which, for all of its sophisticated nature, still relies on pre-emptive guesswork.
“Shaun Marsh has survived the plumbest lbw I have ever seen overturned,’’ said former Sheffield Shield star Jamie Cox.
“That was completely salmon trout,’’ England’s former off-spinner Graeme Swann said.