Aussie cricket’s brilliant SLAMS ‘sad’ umpiring decision after another no-catch controversy

Aussie cricket great Kerry OKeeffe has lamented the “sad” umpiring decision that dented Australia’s already slim chances of winning the third Test of the series against South Africa.

The hosts failed in their bid to clean South Africa and the Proteas held on for a rain-soaked third Test at the SCG.

South Africa were 41.5 overs for 255 in their first innings and were surviving at 2-106 when play was called with 5.1 overs remaining.

Steve Smith (centre) was denied a perfectly legal catch on Sunday at the SCG

However, their second innings was not without controversy.

Steve Smith looked to have removed Heinrich Klaasen in the 24th over when he smashed Nathan Lyon’s delivery low to slip.

Smith looked to have made a great catch, but the decision was sent upstairs.

After several minutes, third umpire Richard Kettleborough ruled that the ball had brushed the grass before reaching the fielder and gave Klaasen, who had survived an LBW shout from the umpire’s call, at the same time, not out.

It was the third time in the match that Kettleborough overthrew what appeared to be a legitimate catch.

On Saturday, Smith thought he had removed Dean Elgar with a brilliant low catch after the South African captain had guided Josh Hazlewood to slip. Although replays showed the catch was cleanly taken, it appeared the ball may have touched the turf as Smith rotated his arm to lift it.

On day one, Kettleborough gave Marnus Labuschagne a pass after Simon Harmer appeared to catch the Aussie at slip.

Sunday’s controversy left O’Keeffe dumbfounded.

Smith looked to take an excellent catch at slip and dismissed Heinrich Klaasen for 24.

Third umpire Richard Kettleborough ruled that the ball had brushed the grass

‘I thought [with the] with bare eyes, he [Smith] got his finger under the ball. but the more forensic you look, the more you can find,” he said in comments to Fox Cricket.

‘And so […] more assumptions about the catch.

My colleague analyst Ian Smith pointed out that in each of the three cases, the evidence was not entirely clear to justify a wrongful conviction.

“In all three cases, you ask yourself: has the right decision been made?” the former New Zealand Test star asked.

Smith (below) was denied a seemingly perfect catch when he appeared to remove Dean Elgar on day four only for the TV umpire to rule that the ball had touched the grass

The Aussies were left frustrated after the DRS system denied them three LBW calls on Sunday

OKeeffe responded, “I’d have to say no […] which is sad right? I think he clearly caught it.’

Josh Hazlewood later bowled Klaasen for 35 before Sarel Erwee (42) and Temba Bavuma (17) took South Africa unbeaten.

The result left Australia 2-0 series winners, but without a guaranteed place in the World Cup finals ahead of next month’s tour of India.

There they need to win or win one of the four Tests to reach the final or hope New Zealand don’t lose either of their home Tests against Sri Lanka in March.

Klaasen survived an LBW shout off Lyon but was eventually bowled by Josh Hazlewood

Australia had entered day five needing 14 wickets to win before the Proteas put up their first real resistance of the summer after losses in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Lower-order batsmen Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj provided the most fight, helping the tourists navigate through Sunday’s first session for the loss of one point.

And while Hazlewood (4-48) removed them both after lunch, South Africa’s top order performed much stronger in their second innings.

The Aussie quick finished with 4-48 after returning to the Test team after side strain

Pat Cummins briefly opened the door when Dean Elgar was caught behind the legs for the fourth time in this series on the 10th, ending a horror tour as captain.

But apart from Hazlewood removing Klaasen after tea, the tourists defended resolutely.

Australia had three lbw against the umpire’s call on the final day, but they also had themselves to blame.

Sarel Erwee (left) and Temba Bavuma (right) took South Africa unbeaten.

Australia defeated the Proteas 2-0 on Sunday in the three-Test series

Four chances were shut down as Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Travis Head and Ashton Agar dropped catches.

Also of note was that Ashton Agar failed the return test when the selectors decided to pick him as second rider ahead of Scott Boland in third quick.

The rain in Sydney also hurt Agar as the pitch did not break up as Australia had hoped.

Ultimately, the weather meant Australia’s first innings of 4-475 was wasted as Cummins declared Usman Khawaja for 195 midway through the fourth day.