Cricket Australia to consider review of third umpire replays

The thoughts of Nick Hockley, the governing body's chief executive, follow the controversial overturning of Simon Harmer's slip catch on the first day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa

Nick Friend | 05/01/2023 at 12:18

Cricket Australia could change the way that replays are provided to the third umpire in light of the controversy around Marnus Labuschagne's non-dismissal on the first day of the third Test between Australia and South Africa.

Labuschagne was reprieved by Richard Kettleborough, who adjudged that Simon Harmer's slip catch had grazed the grass before being taken.

Speaking to radio station SEN, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley suggested that the governing body would "have a look at and review" the protocols for supplying the television official with their replays.

Kettleborough mainly looked at side-on angles, which were provided by Fox Sports, the host broadcaster for the series, and which made it harder to ascertain whether the ball had gone straight into Harmer's hands.

A separate front-on replay, doing the rounds on social media, was provided by Seven Network and appeared to show the catch being taken more clearly.

harmer050102

^{South Africa were left frustrated by the decision (David Gray/AFP via Getty Images)}

Hockley said: "The broadcasting of cricket is probably the most complicated of any of the major sports. We have a huge number of cameras. Yesterday was really, really fine margins. The match referees and umpires are making the best calls they can with the information they have available.

"It's something we will think about and have a look at and review. We'll have a look at it after the end of the Test match."

As it was, Labuschagne fell shortly afterwards in any case, edging Anrich Nortje to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreyne at the end of a weather-affected first day. Australia asserted their dominance on day two, finishing on 475 for 4, with Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 195.