Now Reading: Warner slams Smith for bizarre review against Bangladesh
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Warner slams Smith for bizarre review against Bangladesh
Former Australia opener David Warner criticised Steve Smith for an unusual review during the first Test against Bangladesh on Saturday. Warner objected not to the challenge itself but to Smith signalling for…
The Story in Brief
Former Australia opener David Warner criticised Steve Smith for an unusual review during the first Test against Bangladesh on Saturday. Warner objected not to the challenge itself but to Smith signalling for a review before umpire Kumar Dharmasena raised his finger. The incident occurred in the 14th over with Australia at 40 for 2. Ebadot Hossain bowled outside off and Smith attempted a big drive. A sound was heard as the ball passed the bat, prompting appeals from Hossain and wicketkeeper Litton Das.
As Dharmasena began raising his finger, Smith immediately made the ‘T’ signal. Warner said on air: 'I just don’t think you can do that.' Former spinner Kerry O’Keeffe called it a unique moment in Test cricket. Replays showed the sound came from Smith’s bat hitting the ground. Earlier in the innings, Smith had started walking after being caught behind, but Dharmasena did not give him out and Bangladesh’s review found no edge. Smith was eventually dismissed for 44, and Australia ended the day trailing by 67 runs with four wickets remaining.
The Indian Opinion
Smith’s instant review broke tradition but was technically valid, and the technology confirmed his innocence. Yet the narrative that he is somehow gaming the system misses the point: players have every right to review before an umpire’s decision if they are certain. The more troubling pattern is the over-reliance on DRS to correct obvious mistakes. The real test will be whether teams start delaying reviews to gain a tactical advantage, undermining the umpire’s authority.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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