There might not have been anyone at the SCG more confident than Steve Smith when it came to whether he got his fingers under a catch to remove Virat Kohli for a golden duck. “100 per cent, no denying it whatsoever,” Smith said on Fox’s broadcast after the controversial catch was given not out. While Smith was convinced the ball didn’t touch the ground, the video evidence, especially in slo-mo, left room for doubt.
Both things can be true. In which case, whatever happened to some benefit of the doubt going to the batsman? Virat Kohli was completely within his rights to wait at the crease to see whether the catch carried. A poll posted by this masthead is evidence that the cricket-watching public is torn and believe there was a degree of doubt.
Across more than 12,800 votes, 36 per cent of readers felt that Smith did not have control of the ball. Another 19 per cent were not sure, while 44 per cent said it was a clear catch. Third umpire Joel Wilson has a reputation as a conservative decision-maker.
He determined he could not be certain the ball did not hit the ground for a split second and so gave Kohli not out. He was unsure that Smith had complete control. Video replays can be fraught with danger.
Slowing them down makes things look worse for a batsman. Did Steve Smith take this catch cleanly? Credit: 7 Sport Even in real time, there was definitely doubt. This has nothing to do with Smith’s integrity.
It might have been a clean catch. He might have felt his fingers.
