Australia vs India: Tim Paine frustrated with DRS' inconsistency

Following the close loss in the recently-concluded first Test against India, Australia skipper Tim Paine has expressed his anguish over the much-discussed Decision Review System (DRS). Not much went right for the Australians in Adelaide and DRS was probably one of them. Consequently, the hosts endured some frustrating moments during the close loss.

In the first innings, Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 123 and 71, was saved twice after he reviewed the on-field umpire’s decision. On Sunday, on-field umpire Nigel Llong had adjudged Ajinkya Rahane out caught at bat-pad for 17. However, a confident Rahane took the review and was right as replays showed that the ball had hit the batsman’s front pad outside the line of off stump and missed his bat and gloves.

The decisions eventually made the difference as Australia lost a thriller in Adelaide. Chasing 323, the hosts were reeling at 187 for 7. However, some remarkable fightback from the lower-order helped them claw their way back into the game. At one stage, it looked like they would pull off a major upset but they were eventually all out for 291. And Paine did not hide his frustration as he criticised the much-debated DRS.

“Look, it’s (DRS) not a perfect system and I haven’t got the answers. It’s just frustrating, I’d imagine it’s frustrating for everyone. But it is what it is. I don’t want to talk about DRS. It’s just – it is what it is. A lot of balls seem to be going over the top of the stumps, I know that, that live don’t look like they are. So yeah, it is what it is,” Paine was quoted as saying in the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’.

Another moment that would have rubbed salt to Australia’s wounds took place when they were chasing. Aaron Finch was given out caught off Ravi Ashwin. With some doubts in his mind, Finch consulted his partner and walked away without reviewing the decision.

Replays later showed that the ball had not touched the gloves. Speaking about that decision, Tim Paine said, “It’s one of those things. You can’t do much about it. We’ve been told Aaron’s, for instance, would still not have been overturned. Yeah, the DRS is interesting. It’s a bit different when the batters are out there, it’s up to those two, isn’t it? Aaron felt something on his glove, it ended up being his pad, that can happen.”

Paine fit for Perth

Meanwhile, Tim Paine has confirmed he is fit to play for the crucial second Test in Perth, starting December 14. The Australian wicketkeeper-batsman had taken a blow on his index finger while batting in the second innings and had received treatment. There were some doubts over his participation in the next game but the ‘keeper-batsman said he is raring to go in Perth.

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~Written by Bijoy