Steve Smith in disbelief as third umpire deems catch as illegitimate in third Test against South Africa
It happened in the fourth over of South Africa's first innings at SCG.
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Jan 7, 2023 4:43 pm
Steve Smith (Source: Twitter)
Australia and South Africa battled it out for one final time in the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia in the first innings sent the South African bowlers on a leather hunt. Usman Khawaja blasted his way through to a sterling 195 with 19 fours and one six. Marnus Labuschagne smashed 79 off 151 balls with 13 fours.
Steven Smith scored big runs in Australia as he also scored a wonderful 104 off 192 balls with 11 fours and two sixes. This allowed Australia to get to 475-4 in the first innings. In the second innings, the Proteas opened with Sarel Erwee and Dean Elgar. The left-hander looked all at sea in his innings and scored a painful 15 off 34 balls before being dismissed by Josh Hazelwood and the catch taken by Alex Carey.
South Africa have lost the three match series 2-0
In the fourth over of South Africa’s innings, an incident happened that involved Dean Elgar and Steve Smith. Smith took a catch of Josh Hazelwood. The on-field umpires referred the decision to the third umpire to determine whether the catch was clean. Initially, it appeared that Smith had taken the ball inches above the ground but when the zoomer was employed, it was found out that the ball touched the turf and then made its way into Smith’s hands.
The front foot angle also revealed that the ball has touched the ground and so it will remain not out. Smith put in a great effort but in the end, it was all in vain as the catch was declared as not clean. Here is the video-
The South Africans did not have a good day at the office as they are staring at an innings defeat in the third Test match and a 3-0 whitewash in the hands of Australia. The South Africans are also out of the race for the World Test Championship. The Proteas have not had a good time with the bat in Australia and have failed to fire as a unit. The Australians have bossed over the South Africans this time around.
