CAPE TOWN – For the second time in successive Test matches, a SouthAfrican batsman survived when an on-field decision was overturned by thetelevision umpire, this time on the second morning of the second Testagainst Pakistan at Newlands on Friday.
Temba Bavuma edged Mohammad Abbas low to Azhar Ali at first slip. On-fieldumpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson conferred and asked televisionumpire Sunderam Ravi to check whether the ball hit the ground before aclean catch was completed. Oxenford gave a “soft” signal of “out”.
After looking at numerous replays Ravi overturned the on-field decision.
Bavuma was on three and South Africa were 156 for four in reply toPakistan’s first innings total of 177.
The incident was similar to one at a critical stage of the first Test inCenturion, also involving Azhar Ali, when Dean Elgar survived againstShaeen Afridi after Wilson reversed the on-field decision.
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A consensus of television commentators was that there was no conclusiveevidence to justify Wilson’s decision.
On Thursday, though, the footage suggested the ball had touched the ground.
In Centurion, Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur stormed into the match referee’soffice and berated Wilson, leading to an official warning and a fine of ademerit point. On Thursday he shook his head but stayed in his seat on theplayers’ balcony. -APP/AFP
