Beaten skipper Smith’s whinge over TV umpire

STEVE SMITH, Australia’s captain, called for a revamp of TV referrals protocol after England match-winner Jos Buttler claimed his dismissal in one of two controversies in the third one-dayer at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Smith flatly denied suggestions of ball tampering, after he was observed appearing to wipe lip balm on to the ball during England’s innings in their 16-run victory. Smith’s dismissal for 45 was the moment that turned the match, as Australia were reduced to 181 for four and 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 make the call directly. Smith’s 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,’ said Smith. ‘With the rule as it is at the moment, it’s hard to overturn anything. ‘I would actually like for the third umpire to make the decision — whether it’s out or not.’ Buttler blasted his fifth one-day international hundred during a stunning finale to the innings, when he and Chris Woakes added 102 runs from the last ten overs. 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 any substance was used in the shining process. ‘My lips are pretty dry,’ he argued. ‘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.’