While some praised Nitin Menon for making a difficult decision, others made a playful “Virat Kohli” jab at him.
The present Ashes series between England and Australia has been fraught with controversy, ranging from Cameron Green’s catch in the first Test to Jonny Bairstow’s stumping in the second. On Day 2 of the ongoing fifth and final Test at The Oval, Australia batter Steve Smith avoided a close run out call with the assistance of TV umpire Nitin Menon. Smith appeared to have fallen short in the 78th over of Australia’s first innings when England’s substitute fielder George Ealham and Bairstow combined for a run out.
Menon was called in to review the decision, and after reviewing numerous angles, he concluded that Bairstow had removed one of the bails before getting his hands on the ball.
Menon made the judgement in Smith’s favour when he was walking back to the locker room.
Fans were divided over the decision. While some praised Menon for making a difficult decision, others mocked him with a “Virat Kohli” joke.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) released a statement explaining Menon’s decision.
“A wicket is broken when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or when one or more stumps are removed from the ground.”
“The MCC’s official interpretation of cricket laws, Tom Smith’s Cricket Umpiring and Scoring, adds: “For the purposes of dismissal — a bail has been removed at the moment that both ends of it leave their grooves.”
