Fans on social media questioned a debatable Tim Paine DRS call on day two of the Sydney Test, pointing out that the Australia captain appeared to have taken the review after the on-screen timer of 15 seconds had run out.

The incident occurred in the 40th over of India’s innings, when Ajinkya Rahane padded a Nathan Lyon delivery away to the off side. Australia’s appeal for a leg-before was turned down, but since the batsman wasn’t attempting a shot, Paine decided to take the DRS.

Television replays showed that the delivery’s trajectory would have missed the off-stump, making it ‘umpire’s call’, and the on-field umpire’s decision was retained. Soon after though, the review itself was questioned extensively on social media, as replays showed that Paine appeared to have actually completed the DRS ‘T’ sign just after the 15-second window expired.

https://twitter.com/1_plate_biryani/status/1347444458225160192

https://twitter.com/Kohlify/status/1347440484994584579

Another video suggested that Paine had actually made a signal three seconds before the timer ran out, and made a second ‘T’ signal just after the 15-second mark. However, it wasn’t clear if the earlier signal was an actual one to the umpire. According to Appendix D ‘DRS and Third Umpire Protocol’ of ICC’s Test match playing conditions, “The request shall be made by the player making a ‘T’ sign with both forearms at head height.”

https://twitter.com/KirketVideos/status/1347440946821132289

Others pointed out that the on-screen timer might not accurately coincide with the umpire’s own 15-second time limit.

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Australia Australia v IndiaTim PaineSeries Editorial