Cricket is known as a ‘Gentleman’s game’, but there are many instances when cricketers were seen breaking the rules or not playing under them. However, sometimes the players also have to face unfortunate dismissals during the match or sometimes their innings end up with the umpire’s wrong decision.
Meanwhile, modern techniques like Decision Review System, hotspot, and Snickometer are helping the cricketer a lot these days but sometimes even these techniques get failed. Here we will take a look at 3 controversial dismissals in international cricket history.
Ben Stokes obstructing the field
During the 2nd match of the five-match ODI series between England and Australia. But a controversial decision from the umpire in the 2nd innings gained a lot of attention when allrounder Ben Stokes was given out for obstructing the field. Australia made 309 runs in the first innings.
While chasing the target, England started well but couldn’t convert the start into a win as they lost the match by 64 runs. But Stokes’ dismissal was the most talked about moment of the match. Australian speedster Mitchell Starc came to bowl the 26th over and bowled a brilliant yorker to the batter. Stokes defended the delivery which went back to Starc. He collected the ball and threw it towards the stumps but Stokes stopped the throw with his hand and was given out.
Former England captain Joe Root was involved in an unwanted controversial dismissal during the 2013-14 Ashes. Root was playing on the score of 4 runs. Former Australian allrounder Shane Watson came to bowl in the 31st over of the first innings. On the 5th delivery, Watson got Root caught behind.
Root asked for a review and surprisingly the snicker didn’t show any spike when the ball was close to the bat, however, there was a noise when the ball went past the bat. The 3rd umpire couldn’t find conclusive evidence and asked the onfield umpire Marais Erasmus to stick to his original decision.
Grant Elliot’s horrible run-out
England and New Zealand played a five-match ODI series in 2008. The Blackcaps won the series by 2-1. The 4th match of the series was a nail-biting contest as the Kiwis won the match by just 1 wicket. During the 44th over of the 2nd innings, New Zealand batter Grant Elliot collided with England fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom.
Elliot fell down on the pitch and eventually got run out, however, he stood his ground and waited for the final confirmation as he thought the dismissal was an accident. But, the then-England skipper, Paul Collingwood didn’t withdraw the appeal and later faced a lot of criticism.