Smith’s whinge over TV umpire
STEVE SMITH, Australia’s captain, called for a revamp of TV referrals protocol after England matchwinner Jos Buttler claimed his dismissal in one of two controversies tro in the third one-dayerayer at the Sydneyney Cricket Ground.
Smith also flatly denied suggestions of ball tampering, after he was observed appearing to wipe lip balm on to the ball during England’s innings in theirr 16-run win.
Smith’s dismissal for 45 was the moment that turnedned the match, as Australia were reduced to 181 for four andd left requiring 122 runs from the final 16 overs.
Smith trudged off shaking his head and mouthing ‘no way’ to a cacophony of boos from the 35,000 crowd that had turned up hoping to see Australia finally check England’s momentum with the white ball.
After the game, Smith urged the authorities to outlaw ‘soft signals’ by the on-field officials during such incidents and empower the TV umpire to makek ththe calllldidirectly.tl Smith’s S ith’ departure followed three minutes of checking different angles, as Kumar Dharmasena failed to uncover evidence to overturn Chris Gaffaney’s belief that the delivery from Mark Wood had been scooped up in Buttler’s glove without touching the turf.
‘I am not a big fan of the ruling with the soft signal,’ Smith said. ‘With the rule as it is at the moment, it’s hard to overturnover anything,’ Smith said. ‘I w would actually like for the thirdthi umpire to make the decision — whether it’s out or not.’
Buttler blasted his fifth oneday international hundred during a stunning finale to the innings, when in the last 10 overs he and Chris Woakes added 102 runs.
Of the Smith catch, Buttler said: ‘I was pretty sure and I think any wicketkeeper would tell you when they’ve got their fingers under it. For me it was out.’
Smith himself appeared to apply something to the ball midway through the England innings. Law 42.3 states players are allowed to ‘polish the ball provided that no artificial substance is used’. Smith denied that anything was used in the shining process.
‘My lips are pretty dry. It’s just the way I get some spit into the side of my mouth and get it on to the ball. There’s nothing in it,’ Smith said.