Australia were outplayed in their second World Cup 2023 match by South Africa as they lost by a record margin of 134 runs at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. However, there were two controversial dismissals that led to questions being raised on umpiring standards, especially the third umpire. Marnus Labuschagne who was present in the middle during both dismissals feels that Marcus Stoinis was not out and third umpire Richard Kettleborough made a mistake as he said in the post-match press conference, "looked like there was clear daylight between the two gloves".
"The umpires really didn't know what was going on," he said. "They saw what we saw. It looked like his hand was off the bat - it hit the glove. Because they didn't go to the side on angle - Marcus and I were asking have they checked. They just saw the spike front on.
“It looked like there was clear daylight between the two gloves and the handle. But I have been into the third umpire room and the screen is big and the picture is clearer than what we have on the screen.”
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Stoinis and Labuschagne argued with the on-field umpires. Stoinis said that his glove was not in contact with the bat when the ball brushed it and went into Quinton de Kock’s gloves.
"Everyone saw the same thing out there. There was some talk that maybe it hit the handle of the bat. It was confusing and I am sure we will get clarity or go and seek for clarity. It's a World Cup and we don't want small decisions that can be avoided to change the outcomes of games. Obviously in the situation we were in its hard to say it would have changed the outcome but obviously for the future we want to get I right," Labuschagne added.
The Australian batter was not happy with Smith’s dismissal as well. The hawkeye reversed the on-field umpire Joel Wilson’s decision. In realtime, the ball bowled by Kagiso Rabada that hit Smith on the pads was going down the leg side but hawkeye showed that it was hitting the stumps, not just clipping it. However, Labuschagne said that he does not want to doubt the technology.
"From font on it looked like it was going down leg. Steve was like 'What do you think?' and I said 'No, I don't think it's close'. He usually plays that shot where he leaves his leg out. He doesn't cross over like most normal batters. I haven't seen the final footage but it looks like it must have hit him on leg and almost straightened on to the stumps. It wasn't what it felt like out there but I can't argue with technology. Not right now," the 29-year-old further added.
Australia suffered a massive batting collapse and were bowled out for 177 in the 41st over. Had the decisions gone their way, the outcome of the game may have not been in their favour but the margin of defeat would have been smaller.
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