Steve Smith was lucky to survive a controversial run-out chance on day two of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval, with the Australian vice-captain handed a massive reprieve on 43.
In the 78th over of Australia’s first innings, Smith worked a delivery from Chris Woakes towards square leg, scampering through for two runs.
However, substitute fielder George Ealham steamed in from the boundary rope and threw the ball towards England wicketkeeper Bairstow, who knocked over the bails at the striker’s end before the diving Smith made his ground.
The 34-year-old, whose jumper was covered in dirt, started trudging back towards the sheds, but the on-field umpires sent the decision upstairs to third official Nitin Menon.
Replays showed that Bairstow had dislodged one of the bails before retrieving the ball. Menon also checked whether the other side of the bail was still in its groove when Smith’s bat crossed the popping crease.
Law 29.1 states: “The wicket is broken when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or one or more stumps is removed from the ground.”
After reviewing the footage for several minutes, Menon handed down his verdict of not out, and Smith sheepishly returned to the middle.
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“Well, the crowd is not happy,” former England batter Mark Butcher said on Sky Sports commentary.
“Smith had walked halfway back to the dressing room, but it was a really, really tough decision. Really tough, because Jonny Bairstow had made contact with the stumps prior to getting the ball in his hands.”
The non-dismissal divided opinion — on Sky Sports commentary, former England opener Ian Ward argued that Smith should have been adjudicated out because one side of the bail left its groove after Bairstow caught the ball.
“Initially I saw it and I saw the bail go up. It was close,” Smith told Sky Sports at stumps.
“I got given not out in the end, so I can’t do much else.”
Former Test captain Nasser Hussain continued: “I thought it was a nightmare for the third umpire and I think he got it right.
“He had to see if both grooves were out, he had to see what Bairstow had done.
“I think he got it right, but it was a nightmare.”
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The incident was reminiscent of Ricky Ponting’s infamous run out at Trent Bridge during the 2005 Ashes, where substitute fielder Gary Pratt dismissed the former Australian captain with a magical piece of fielding.
“The lesson is, don’t take on the sub fielder you know nothing about,” Ponting joked on Sky Sports commentary on Friday.
Smith was later dismissed by Woakes for 71 after a 54-run partnership with captain Pat Cummins for the eighth wicket.
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