Adam Voges survives due to an umpiring howler

The ongoing New Zealand-Australia series witnessed yet another umpiring howler today after a Doug Bracewell delivery which got Adam Voges bowled was adjudged to be a no-ball.

The incident occurred in the final over of Day 1 of the first Test at Wellington. Doug Bracewell clean bowled Adam Voges with the fourth delivery of that over. The Australia batsman was bowled after he shouldered armed the fourth ball of Doug Bracewell’s 11th over. The delivery seamed in and hit Voges’ off stump who completely misjudged the line of the delivery. But the on-field umpire Richard Illingworth signaled a no-ball, handing the right-hander a lifeline. The Kiwis were left annoyed after replays clearly showed that the Bracewell’s delivery was legal since his heel was on the line.

Annoyed by the umpiring error, Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum was seen having a chat with Illingworth when the days play ended. This wicket would have given them a slight advantage as skipper Steven Smith had walked away just few overs before this incident.

Voges did not add to his score of 7 in the final over as Australia finished on 3-147, still trailing New Zealand’s first innings by 36 runs but the home side will definitely be left upset if Voges goes on to play a match-turning knock on Day 2.

This was not the first incident which took place today. The umpires were heavily involved in the play right from the start of the day. Black Caps opener Tom Latham survived a huge appeal from Hazlewood & Co. in the 3rd over of the match after he reviewed the initial decision where he was given out by the umpire. Later in the day, Brendon McCullum successfully overturned the umpire’s decision after Joe Burns was given not out off the bowling of Tim Southee. Southee appealed for a caught behind wicket after Burns failed to connect the ball on the leg side. The umpire disagreed with the bowler but the decision was reviewed and replays showed that there was a nick.

https://youtu.be/xENmglJN-n8