AUS vs SA: CA to inspect third umpire's camera vision in wake of Marnus Labuschagne's contentious review

Marnus Labuschagne surviving a contentious review turned out to be the highlight of rain-hit day one of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at SCG. In the wake of the Labuschagne incident, Cricket Australia are mulling on changing the ways broadcast vision is sent out to third umpires. While the Australian batter was up at 70, it looked like Simon Harmer had wrapped up his innings with a low catch in the slips. 

The soft signal was also given in favour of South Africa but the third-umpire wasn’t convinced and ultimately changed the decision while primarily focusing on the side-on replays. However, a front-on angle from Seven Network made Richard Kettleborough’s decision questionable, who had earlier stated that the ball had bounced before Harmer’s catch. 

It is to be noted that the third umpire currently has the access to the vision given by the host broadcaster, Fox Sports. And therefore, Kettleborough couldn’t view it the other way while taking the decision. In the same light, CA CEO Nick Hockley has come up in support of match officials and added that they will look to have better approach for such reviews in the future.

“The broadcasting of cricket is probably the most complicated of any of the major sports. We have a huge number of cameras. Yesterday was really, really fine margins.  The match referees and umpires are making the best calls they can with the information they have available,” Hockley told SEN.

“It's something we will think about and have a look at and review. We'll have a look at it after the end of the Test match.”

Combination of light and rain was frustrating: Nick Hockley

The bad light and unfavourable weather conditions dented day one’s game at the SCG and Hockley added that combination of light and rain turned out to be really frustrating. However, he remained hopeful that lighting upgrades will solve out this concern soon.

“It was extremely frustrating, particularly the combination of light and rain,” Hockley added.

For Better Experience: Download CricTracker Mobile App