Day 4 of the fourth Test in Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) witnessed high drama as a controversial third-umpire decision left many Australian players and cricket pundits perplexed. Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, bowled a yorker-length delivery, which seemed to take the edge of Mohammed Siraj’s bat before landing safely into Steve Smith’s hands at second slip.
The Shocking Incident That Rocked Fans and Players
The noise from the edge and celebration by the Australians triggered; however, the on-field umpires referred it to the third umpire, who concluded that the ball had bounced after taking the bottom edge of the bat. Pat Cummins came visibly frustrated while trying for a review, but it was declined by the on-field umpires.
Cricket legends Ravi Shastri and Adam Gilchrist voiced their disbelief during live commentary. Both experts felt convinced that the ball had edged the bat before reaching the slip cordon.
- Shastri remarked, “This decision felt incredibly rushed. I’ve never seen something like this before.”
- Gilchrist echoed similar sentiments, saying, “The third umpire’s quick call here was baffling. It needs a closer inspection.”
The commentators felt that a much more careful approach was necessary in critical decision-making when the stakes were high and the match was at the crossroads.
Nitish Kumar Reddy Shines Amid Controversy
Though the drama of Siraj’s dismissal overshadowed much of the innings, Nitish Kumar Reddy, the 20-year-old batter, stole the limelight with his maiden Test century. He scored 114 runs, anchoring India to a total of 369.
Reddy’s knock included 11 boundaries and a towering six, which earned him a standing ovation from the MCG crowd. Cricketing greats praised the calm demeanor and sharp shot selection, including Sunil Gavaskar, who described the innings as “a day etched in memories.”
Australia’s Bowling Prowess
Australia wrapped up India’s innings with clinical bowling performances.
- Pat Cummins: The skipper led from the front, taking three wickets for 89 runs.
- Scott Boland: The pacer came up with a great bowling performance, taking three wickets for just 57 runs.
- Nathan Lyon: The veteran spinner added three crucial wickets, including the dismissal of Reddy, to finish with figures of 3/96.
The disciplined bowling attack restricted India to a manageable total, thereby leaving Australia with a first innings lead of 105 runs.
The Third Umpire Debate: A Need for Review?
The incident has reignited discussions over the third umpire in contentious calls. Many cricket enthusiasts and analysts argued that the umpire acted hastily. The refusal to let Cummins review the decision further fueled frustrations, thereby calling for reforms in protocols for decision reviews. What’s next in the test?
This is going to be a match in which Australia will be leading by 105 runs at the end of day two. The hosts will look for big score and trying to raise a tough challenge before India in the final inning whereas Indian needs breakthroughs from their bowling in early stages.
The events of Day 4 have set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the series, with the tensions running high on both sides. As cricket fans eagerly await the final day’s play, the Siraj controversy will undoubtedly remain a talking point for years to come.
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