New Zealand make disastrous DRS call that leaves Australia captain Tim Paine amused

New Zealand are having a tough time in Australia this summer as they have already lost the Test series. The third match in Sydney also saw them fighting hard to stay in the game after the hosts elected to bat and posed a big total of 454. The Kiwis have not only struggled with their game but also fitness and on-field observations.

On Saturday, as Australia kept on piling on the runs and double centurion Marnus Labuschagne (215) looked ominous, the visitors were desperate to look for a breakthrough at the other end. Captain Tim Paine (35) added 79 runs with Labuschagne for the sixth wicket to take his team past 400 for the third consecutive time in the first innings. And to get rid of him, the Kiwis resorted to a DRS call in the 113th over of the innings on the second day.

Paine received a low-dipping yorker from leg-break bowler Todd Astle and even while misjudging, he got his bat down at the right time. The New Zealand fielders went up in appeal thinking Paine was hit in front of the wicket. The on-field umpire gave the batsman not out but Tom Latham’s side was not convinced yet and went for the review. Cricket.com.au later shared a video of the same with the caption “All bat… no pad”

Paine was eventually bowled by Colin de Grandhomme in the 137th over of the innings and Australia were on top by then at 410 for 6.

All bat… no pad 🙊

New Zealand are out of reviews.#AUSvNZ | https://t.co/rx14Qs3S0i pic.twitter.com/VXmEEXQO2Q

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2020

A depleted New Zealand tries hard to save Test

New Zealand were forced to make five changes in the team for this game as a number of their players have been hit by illnesses and injuries. Regular captain Kane Williamson, who failed to impress in this series, also got ruled out of the third game in Sydney because of a prolonged illness and Latham replaced him as the skipper to lead NZ for the first time in Tests. The visitors did well to not lose a wicket at stumps on Day 2 with their score reading at 63 for no loss in 29 overs. Latham was not out on 26 while his partner — Tom Blundell — was on 34.

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