Ashes 2021-22: Dawid Malan gets a lifeline after Australia refrains from using the DRS

England batter Dawid Malan got a massive reprieve after he apparently found a thick outside edge off Cameron Green during the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Green bowled a good length ball and Malan went on to the backfoot to play a defensive stroke. However, the pink cherry jagged back a wee bit and Malan’s bat came down a bit late.

Immediately, the Aussies appealed, but to their dismay, the on-field umpire turned down their plea. Thereafter, skipper Pat Cummins discussed the matter with his teammates and reckoned that the ball might have brushed Malan’s shirt on its way to the wicketkeeper. Hence, the hosts refrained from taking the Decision Review System. But replays had a different story to tell.

David Malan survives

On the big screen, a massive spike appeared when the ball passed Malan. It was evident that Malan had hit the ball and the noises came from the sound of the bat. Justin Langer, the head coach of the Australian cricket team, was disappointed and he closed his eyes on realising that the hosts made a massive error in judgment. Alex Carey, the wicketkeeper, couldn’t make the proper judgment as well.

Here’s the video

Another close one – is that a life for Malan? #Ashes pic.twitter.com/a5LL3UowQ7

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 15, 2022

Malan was batting on 13 runs off 45 balls when the Aussies made the goof-up. He went on to score 25 runs off 64 balls with the help of five fours. After getting the lifeline, Malan was starting to find his rhythm before Cummins cut short his stay in the middle. In the fourth ball of the 22nd over, Cummins had Malan caught down the leg side.

The batter tried to glide the ball through the fine leg region, but could only find an outside edge. Carey made no mistake in catching the ball. The dismissal triggered a mini-collapse as the Three Lions lost the quick wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes.

England had half their side back to the pavilion after Mitchell Starc got rid of Stokes. All three of Zak Crawley, Malan, and Root got off to decent starts, but none could convert. Cummins was the chief destroyer having picked up three wickets in his spell.