Steve Smith during the match between Australia and South Africa at the 2023 Cricket World Cup© X (formerly Twitter)
Steve Smith was left completely baffled after a DRS review resulted in a rather unusual dismissal of LBW during the 2023 Cricket World Cup match between Australia and South Africa in Lucknow on Thursday. A delivery from Kagiso Rabada hit Smith on the pads as he tried to shuffle over the stumps and to the naked eye it looked like the ball missed the leg stump. However, South Africa went for the review and the replay showed that the ball actually hit the stumps. There was some confusion over the decision as the ball tracker directly showed the end result and not the journey of the ball, leaving Smith quite dissatisfied with the whole process. Even on-field umpire Joel Wilson looked surprised when the third umpire overturned his not-out decision.
Quinton de Kock hit his second consecutive century at the Cricket World Cup on Thursday as South Africa sent five-time champions Australia to a 134-run defeat.
After the Proteas made 311-7, Australia lost six wickets with just 70 on the board and then focused solely on trying to limit the damage to their net run-rate.
— Ishan Martinez (@IshanMarti66419) October 12, 2023
They were eventually dismissed for 177 with 55 balls to spare.
For South Africa it was a second win in two games, while Australia lost both games.
“I would be really greedy if I said there are areas that could be improved, an almost perfect game with the bat and with the ball,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins admitted his team was “way off”.
He added: “Not much needs to be said tonight, everyone is hurting.”
Australia, who lost to India by six wickets in their opener, saw five catches fall as South Africa batted.
(With AFP inputs)
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