MCG umpiring gaffe brings back memories of India's 2012 tour
The ongoing Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan at the MCG saw a gaffe by the third umpire who gave Azhar Ali out after replays showed that the Pakistan opener was well within the crease before overturning his decision. The crowd had a laugh at it on a rain-hit second day.
The incident occurred on Tuesday (Dec 27) when Asad Shafiq, who had survived an Australian review a couple of deliveries earlier, drove a Jackson Bird delivery back at the bowler. The Aussie pacer got a hand on the ball before it crashed into the stumps.
The decision was referred to the third umpire, and the giant screen in the MCG clearly showed that non-striker Ali had made it back inside the crease.
What a rollercoaster! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/rrW0wyjZzH
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 27, 2016
The third umpire accidentally gave the batsman out as the crowd cheered at the error, but cheers soon turned boos when the decision was immediately overturned. Pakistan were 310/6 with Ali unbeaten on 139 when rain forced play to be called off.
This isn't the first time that such an incident has occurred in Australia. On India's tour in
Hussey attempted to drive Suresh Raina but completely missed the line. Dhoni was lightning quick behind the stumps and took the bails off. The third umpire sided with the Indians with his decision.
However, just as Hussey was making his way back to the pavilion, he was stopped by the on-field umpire and informed that the third umpire had made a mistake and had overturned his decision and that he was to continue to bat.