Twitter reacts to Aleem Dar’s controversial decision to give Mark Stoneman out
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The accuracy of the DRS has been a constant talking point in the Ashes after a slew of controversial overturns and it didn’t take long for controversy to emerge again in Perth today. Australia benefited from the contentious call that saw Mark Stoneman being sent back despite no conclusive evidence.
The incident in question occurred in the 38th over of the English innings when Stoneman, who was countering the Australian fire and brimstone with ease, was attacked by a ripping bouncer by Mitchell Starc and despite trying his best to get out of the way, the ball kept getting big on him and the ball went through to wicketkeeper Tim Paine. The Australian players thought the Surrey player had nicked the ball and appealed for the wicket, but it was ruled not out by standing umpire Marais Erasmus. However, that didn't deter the Aussies as they were fully convinced that Stoneman had gloved the ball and captain Steve Smith immediately called for a review.
On checking the replays, it seemed that the English opener fended in front his face but at the time, when the ball passed by, his bottom hand gloves came off the bat. Real-Time Snicko (RTS) had a spike of noise as the ball passed the glove that was off the bat and that was enough for Dar to overturn Erasmus’s on-field decision.Â
The decision left England captain Joe Root and assistant coach Paul Collingwood baffled as the duo came out of the change room door, seemingly urging Stoneman to stay on the field in the hope the DRS decision would be reversed. However, further replays and angles after Stoneman had left the middle vindicated Dar's decision, with the ball touching the batsman's top hand with an RTS spike confirming the contact.
However, Michael Clarke, in his commentary, has raised an important point and stated that for a decision to be overturned, there needs to be clear evidence that the wrong call had been made on the field. But as the replays were looking inconclusive and nothing notable showing up on the Hot Spot as well, this bounds to trigger controversy for sure.Â
Yeah, there wasn’t much of rolling going on!
I’ve seen 3rd umpires spend more time debating lbws that pitched outside leg that Aleem Dar spent on Stoneman’s dismissal #ashes
— jamie meredith (@jamie0meredith) December 14, 2017
Still can’t believe it was given out!
Stoneman has been pronounced out on the evidence from the snicko. But which glove did it brush?
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) December 14, 2017
Stoneman’s hand off the bat. I’m not sure I’m overturning that #notout #drsdoesntwork
— Darren Parkin (@Darren_Parkin) December 14, 2017
But there were others who thought was OUT!
More replays I watch, more I think the absolute funniest thing about that Stoneman decision is that it's probably right.
— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) December 14, 2017
Don't understand how people think that's not out? Obvious nick on RTS, obviously it was the top hand, out all day long! All we've learnt is #stoneman is a decent actor! #Ashes #bbccricket
— Rob Thorpe (@Thorpey55) December 14, 2017
Even the former England captain?!Â
On the Stoneman dismissal ... Understand all England’s fans anger as no way was there enough evidence with the initial replays to overturn the decision .. But once all the replays had been seen it was clear to me to be Out ... #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 14, 2017
