Umpire Richard Illingworth has been questioned for his gesture to Nathan Lyon following an lbw appeal, which seemingly helped the Australia team decide against a review during their World Test Championship final against India at the Kia Oval.
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The incident occurred during the 38th over of India’s second innings, with Lyon bowling to Ajinkya Rahane. Off the fourth ball, Rahane was hit on the pad by a sharp-turning delivery, leading to a loud appeal, which was turned down.
Then, Illingworth, with a seemingly innocuous gesture, signalled to Lyon that the ball would have gone down leg because of the turn, before the DRS timer had elapsed. Many have interpreted the signal as having helped Australia save a review, a crucial benefit to hold on the fourth evening of the Test, and in the middle of a riveting chase.
The ICC Playing Conditions discourage umpires from giving any information about a decision made before the DRS timer elapses, except regarding whether or not a batter has played a shot.
Umpire telling lyon that ball missing leg stump on his lbw appeal. Let him take the DRS if he not agreed with umpire. @ICC #WTCFinal2023 #WTCFinals pic.twitter.com/2eLf1h49ij
— vaibhav patil (@imVpatil) June 10, 2023
Did the umpire just signal to Lyon it would’ve missed leg?
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) June 10, 2023
The umpiring has been under the scanner through the India innings: earlier, Shubman Gill was at the centre of a controversial catch, with debate raging over whether Cam Green’s stunning effort at gully was a clean grab.
Rahane continued his vigil alongside Virat Kohli, stitching together a crucial 71-run stand that kept India in the hunt as they continued their journey towards what would be a record chase in Tests.
