The players and the umpires did not decide the Chappell-Hadlee one day series between New Zealand and Australia on Monday evening.
A hometown television producer and a baying mob pressed the requisite buttons. And when press came to shove, when tempers were on edge and the match was on the line, the Black Caps and their captain abandoned the spirit of cricket and showed it to be ‘the Great Sham’ that some of us always knew it to be.
When Australian captain Steve Smith awoke this morning (Tuesday), his views on the Mitchell Marsh incident on Monday night had not changed one iota.
It’s not that he objected to the ultimate decision, in which Marsh was given out caught and bowled by Matt Henry, after a replay on the big screen persuaded the umpires to review the incident, which had initially passed without incident.
“My thoughts are still the same as last night. I think the whole process of it needs to improve,” Smith said today.
“I don’t think there should be a replay on the screen before the next ball is bowled. I don’t think that’s how a decision should be made and I think (New Zealand captain) Brendon McCullum shared my thoughts on that.”
Marsh had reached 42 and was shaping up as Australia’s match-winner, which added to Australian anger.
Smith said Australia’s team officials had talks with the match referee Chris Broad.
“There are going to be reports written up on the game and I’m sure Cricket Australia are all over it as well to make sure things are improved in the future.”
The 55-run win enabled New Zealand to retain the Chappell-Hadlee ODI trophy 2-1, and puts plenty of spark into the two-match test series starting in Wellington on Friday. (Excerpts from Stuff.co and nzherald)
