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No-ball call baffles Aussie Test greats

3 minute read

The decision not to overturn a Pat Cummins wicket thanks to an apparent no-ball has left a host of former Australian greats scratching their heads at the Gabba.

PAT CUMMINS of Australia prepares to bowl during the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes Series at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia
PAT CUMMINS of Australia prepares to bowl during the First Test Match of the 2017/18 Ashes Series at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Pat Cummins reckons it's about time the bowlers have something go their way in Test cricket after the Australian quick took a wicket even rusted-on fans couldn't justify.

The decision not to reverse Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan's caught behind despite an apparent no-ball was the curious moment of the Test summer's arrival at the Gabba on Thursday.

The wicketkeeper was almost off the field but would've thought he was off the hook when replays showed Cummins' heel landing on - and not behind - the crease line.

But English third umpire Michael Gough ruled Cummins' delivery a fair one, leaving former Australian Test captain Allan Border among the many stumped observers.

The front-foot no-ball rule states benefit of the doubt favours the bowler, but Border argued that it was clear cut.

"I'm trying to find something behind (the line) there but I just can't," Border said on Fox Cricket commentary.

Brett Lee and Ricky Ponting joined the queue in commentary, with even Cummins admitting he "wasn't that confident" when he saw the replay on the big screen.

"Well it's a pretty silly question to ask me, because I bowled it," Cummins said on Fox Cricket.

"I look at the scoreboard, it says a wicket. Bowlers have got to have something go towards us don't we?"

It was a crucial wicket given Rizwan (37 off 34) was flying alongside the steady Asad Shafiq (76) at the time.

Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 240, with Australia's innings to begin on Friday.

Lee said even through Australian-tinted glasses he couldn't see how Rizwan wasn't recalled to the crease.

"I reckon that's hard on Pakistan, I think that's got to be called a no-ball," he said.

"You won't often hear me say this, but that's got to go to the batsman."

Ricky Ponting had no doubt the wrong decision was made when commentating on Channel Seven.

"I couldn't see any part of his foot land behind the line," he said.

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