Controversy involving the third umpire has reared its head yet again this Ashes summer, this time amid Australia’s Boxing Day batting collapse that saw them bowled out for 152 on day one of the fourth Test.
With the home side reeling at 7/142 after being sent into bat, Mitchell Starc attempted to loft English quick Brydon Carse over mid-off, but fell victim to a great Ben Stokes catch running back with the flight.
As the Australian superstar headed towards the changerooms, footage of Carse’s front foot on the bowler’s popping crease appeared, suggesting the Pom had in fact bowled a no ball.
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The left-armer briefly turned around to look at the big screen, but continued to walk off despite the loud roar around the MCG.
The one person in the entire ground who saw it otherwise though, was TV umpire Ahsan Raza, who deemed Carse had grounded some part of his foot behind the white line on first contact.
Directly or indirectly, it began Australia’s loss of 3/0 to finish their first innings, as disbelief set in over Raza’s decision.
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“I cannot see how he’s got any part of that shoe behind the line, unless my eyes are gone,” Australian great and Fox Cricket expert Mark Waugh said on commentary.
“I can’t pay that … I can’t see it.”
Former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe added: “That’s tighter than a second coat of paint.”
“At first point of contact, I can’t see that is behind that white line; any part of his heel. It masquerades a terrific bit of cricket by Carse himself, and the captain Ben Stokes (with) the strategy to promote (Starc) with that shot.”
Starc’s dismissal for one was Carse’s only wicket for the innings, finishing with figures of 1/42 from his dozen overs. Australia lost their final three wickets in just four balls, with Josh Tongue taking 5/45.
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